MPs turn down invitation to Belarus

The Maltese Parliamentary delegation to the OSCE has turned down an invitation by a delegation from the Belarus Parliament to visit Belarus in view of the human rights situation in that country.

The delegation, led by Jason Azzopardi, told Sergei Zaboletets, Deputy Speaker of the Belarus Parliament, who made the invitation, that the visit "could not take place unless and until the prevailing situation in the country regarding the lack of respect for human rights and the lack of enjoyment of fundamental freedoms, is not improved."

The delegation from Belarus was in Malta participating in the OSCE autumn meetings last week.The Maltese delegation, which also comprised Anglu Farrugia and Frederick Azzopardi also referred to the recent cases of two Maltese Members of the European Parliament who formed part of a European Parliament delegation, who were denied an entry visa to Belarus.

The meeting with the Maltese Parliamentary delegation, held on the request of the Belarus delegation, discussed areas of cooperation that could be developed between the two countries, namely parliamentary cooperation and trade relations.

The delegates from Belarus also spoke of the potential for the development of the tourism industry.