MINSK, 10 March (BelTA) - Belarus plays an important role in resolving international crises, PACE rapporteur on Belarus Andrea Rigoni (Italy) said when speaking at the international conference Death Penalty: Transcending the Divide in Minsk, BelTA has learned.
Andrea Rigoni said he wants Belarus to return to the Council of Europe. “It is not about choosing between the East and the West. We do not want Belarus to choose between the European Union and the Russian Federation. Belarus should have its own path: it has its own culture, traditions, and today it plays an important political role in resolving international crises,” Andrea Rigoni said.
Meanwhile, he noted that the position of the Council of Europe on the death penalty is that it should be abolished. “I consider it necessary to impose at least a temporary moratorium on the death penalty (in Belarus – note by BelTA) in order to accelerate the process of rapprochement of Belarus with the Council of Europe,” he said.
“We do not want to put pressure on anyone on this matter. Belarus should find its balance in the international context,” said Andrea Rigoni.
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