The European Commission's own rules of procedure are the main obstacle in stepping up aid to the democratic opposition in Belarus, as the country heads for a potentially explosive confrontation with Alexander Lukashenko's government ahead of the 2006 elections.
"The problem is not the Belarusian regime, but our financial regulations and the open and transparent way in which we have to operate our projects", Raul de Luzenberger, the former head of the commission's Minsk desk told MEPs ...
Back our independent journalism by becoming a supporting member
Already a member? Login hereAndrew Rettman is EUobserver's foreign editor, writing about foreign and security issues since 2005. He is Polish, but grew up in the UK, and lives in Brussels. He has also written for The Guardian, The Times of London, and Intelligence Online.
Andrew Rettman is EUobserver's foreign editor, writing about foreign and security issues since 2005. He is Polish, but grew up in the UK, and lives in Brussels. He has also written for The Guardian, The Times of London, and Intelligence Online.