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Article: EU sticks with Lukashenko travel ban suspension
- Article from:
- AP Worldstream
- Article date:
- March 16, 2009
- Author:
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The European Union decided Monday not to tighten sanctions against Belarus to give the former Soviet Republic a chance to reverse its dismal human rights record and join a large trade-and-aid pact.
The EU foreign ministers extended until year's end the suspension of a travel ban on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko _ whom some in the West call "Europe's last dictator" _ and 34 officials in his government.
In a statement the foreign ministers said Belarus had made "certain positive steps" to improve ties.
"The European Union remains ready to deepen its relations with Belarus," the foreign ministers said.
The European Union said it ...