Opinions & Interviews

STRASBOURG, 22 April (BelTA) – Belarus’ invitation of PACE to observe the presidential election is a very positive moment, Alexander Guessel, head of the Directorate of Political Affairs of the Council of Europe, told Belarusian journalists on 21 April, BelTA has learned.

“The Belarusian authorities have invited PACE to take part in the observation (of the presidential election - BelTA). It seems to be a very positive moment,” Alexander Guessel said commenting on the statement of Nikolai Samoseiko, the chairman of the permanent commission for international affairs of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, at the meeting of the PACE Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy on 21 April.

The CoE representative noted that it is important for the country to be open, including for the delegations of the kind. Alexander Guessel paid a visit to Belarus not long ago. “It was a useful trip,” he said. Alexander Guessel added that he held a meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alena Kupchyna.

According to Alexander Guessel, the election campaign gives a chance for presidential candidates to make a statement. “It is very important. I believe that the presidential election is a privileged moment in the life of any country, an opportunity for the broad layers of the population to think what path to choose for the near future,” he said.