Video: Visiting Czech envoy says that he did not discuss subject of political prisoners during talks in Minsk

A visiting Czech envoy said that he had held talks with representatives of the Belarusian foreign ministry but not discussed the subject of political prisoners.
Ambassador Petr Mares, who is the Czech foreign ministry`s special envoy for Eastern Partnership, told reporters in Minsk on Tuesday that the European Union`s and the Czech Republic`s stance on the matter remained unchanged.
"The release of the political prisoners is the first step toward the development of cooperation between the EU and Belarus," he noted.
The envoy described the current state of relations between Belarus and the EU as a "deadlock." "This deadlock can be broken only through efforts by both sides and it seems to us that our hand has already been extended for cooperation, we are now waiting for Minsk`s hand to be extended," he said.
Belarus has a great importance for the Czech Republic and Prague views Minsk`s further involvement in the Eastern Partnership program as a top-priority issue, according to the diplomat.
"Belarus is a European country, it has been part of Europe almost throughout its history and is now torn between the East and the West," Mr. Mares said.
The envoy announced that Belarusian Foreign Minister Syarhey Martynaw had not been invited so far to attend a ministerial meeting of the Eastern Partnership to be held in Prague on March 4.
He said that Mr. Martynaw could yet be invited to the event but did not elaborate. "Both sides know what must be done for this to happen," he added.