Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 11 October (BelTA) - The OSCE is interested in the further development of contacts with Belarus, the head of the OSCE/ODIHR mission Jacques Faure told reporters, BelTA has learned.

"There are the areas where the OSCE already has contacts with Belarus, and the organization intends to develop these contacts in the future. These are such areas as legislation and human rights,” said Jacques Faure.

The head of the OSCE/ODIHR mission added that "Belarus is a European country. It has interests in Europe and wants to develop contacts with the European community.” The objective of the OSCE/ODIHR mission is not only to observe the election. Our work is a certain process in time. This is not our first mission. The OSCE has cooperated with Belarus over a number of years,” he added.

While visiting two polling stations at Minsk school No.101 Jacques Faure refrained from making assessment and comments on the electoral process in Belarus, calling it premature.

He noted that the mandate of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission is not connected with geopolitics. "Firstly, our task is to collect the facts, and secondly, check them. We do not include in the final report any facts we cannot verify,” said Jacques Faure.