Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 4 June (BelTA) - OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic said that she really appreciates the fact that she was invited by the Belarusian side to visit Belarus, BelTA learned

"I am here at the invitation of the Foreign Ministry. I really appreciate it and am considering this invitation as recognition of the mandate and the work that I do,” said Dunja Mijatovic.

Speaking about the forthcoming meeting with Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei, she said: "The future meeting with the Minister indicates the willingness and is a clear sign that Belarus wants to resume cooperation with my Office.”

In addition, she noted that "all the doors were open for me, and all interviews were held in a friendly atmosphere."

According to Dunja Mijatovic, there have been some positive changes in Belarus.“More and more people have access to the Internet. This practice should be continued because it contributes to the development of pluralism in the media," she said. The OSCE Representative feels that more needs to be done regarding free Wi-Fi access points in public areas.

"I welcome the new changes that promote greater freedom of information, introduced by the new law on information," Dunja Mijatovic said.

In addition, she said: "We have a long way to go. All parties will have to do a lot.” According to the OSCE representative, various seminars and trainings for journalists, state and non-state media of Belarus might be arranged in the future.

She also criticized some points. Answering the questions of journalists, the OSCE Representative said she does not welcome some things in the European Union either. This applies, in particular, to freedom of expression on the Internet.

When talking to the media, Dunja Mijatovic also noted that the issue of the EU visa sanctions against Belarusian journalists is out of her purview, and her mandate does not envisage the power to address this problem.

During the current visit, Dunja Mijatovic already met with First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Belarus Alexander Radkov, members of the House of Representatives, senior officials of the Information Ministry, the Supreme Court, the journalists' organizations, and others.