Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus

 In the run-up to the Eastern Partnership Summit its organizers undertook unprecedented discriminatory steps with regard to Belarus.

They refused to send an invitation to the Head of the Belarusian State. After that the Head of the Belarusian delegation designated by the Republic of Belarus was restricted in attending the events of the Summit.

These actions represent a blatant violation of the basic principles of the Eastern Partnership agreed upon at its first summit in Prague in 2009.

Belarus actively worked in the interests of the Summit preparation and intended to participate in its events.

However, in such conditions participation in the Summit is not possible as a partnership cannot be based on discrimination.

By their actions the organizers of the Summit undermine the validity of this regional initiative and bear responsibility for that.

The decisions of the Summit affecting the interests of the Republic of Belarus and adopted without a direct consent of our country will not be legitimate.

Without Belarus the Eastern Partnership loses seriously its significance.

The Belarusian Side stands ready to cooperate in consolidating and developing this regional initiative but solely on the principles of a real, not fake partnership.

Minsk, September 30 2011