EU keeps open possibility of enlargement to East

[September 30, 2011]  WARSAW, Poland (AP) -- European Union leaders say they "acknowledge the European aspirations" of some countries on the bloc's eastern periphery, keeping alive the prospect of further enlargement for those who embrace democracy.

EU leaders also issued a declaration Friday at a summit in Warsaw condemning Belarus for its "deteriorating" record on human rights and rule of law.

The summit is devoted to the Eastern Partnership, an initiative launched aimed at deepening the 27-nation EU's ties with Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan and to spur them into embracing the EU's political and economic standards.

Belarus on Friday boycotted the summit, protesting its pointed decision to exclude the country's autocratic leader, Alexander Lukashenko.

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THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.
AP's earlier story is below.

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WARSAW, Poland (AP) -- Belarus on Friday boycotted a Warsaw summit at which EU leaders were urging democratic reforms, protesting the bloc's pointed decision not to invite the country's autocratic leader.

The summit was discussing the Eastern Partnership, an initiative launched by Sweden and Poland in 2009 to deepen the EU's ties with Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan and to spur them into embracing the EU's political and economic standards.

EU leaders wanted to signal their disapproval of the authoritarian regime of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko by inviting the country's foreign minister. Every other country in the region is represented by its top leader.

The Belarusian Embassy in Poland said the failure to invite Lukashenko was a case of "unprecedented discrimination" against Belarus and boycotted the meeting.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk noted the absence of the delegation from Belarus as he opened discussions Friday, the second day of the two-day summit. He expressed hope Minsk would one day join "the family of European states."

Polish news agency PAP reported Friday that Tusk had proposed a modernization fund to aid Belarus, which is going through a severe financial crisis. The money could be made available through European banks, on condition that Belarus holds free parliamentary elections, opens talks with the opposition and releases all political prisoners. There is no pressure for Lukashenko to step down.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with Belarusian human rights activists on Thursday evening, and was disturbed by descriptions she heard of Belarusian activists, "who are under considerable pressure of persecution after falsified elections" for the presidency last December.

The summit is focusing primarily on Ukraine, a country of 46 million to Poland's east that has been negotiating free trade agreements with the EU that would increase European investments in that country and deepen trade ties.

Those deals would be landmarks for the ex-Soviet state which could help pull it closer to the West. Because of Ukraine's size and key strategic position -- between the EU and Russia -- the deals could also mobilize Ukraine's neighbors to embrace greater reforms. Poland and other advocates hope that could turn a region plagued by corruption and political abuse into one of greater prosperity and stability.

The EU-Ukraine deals, however, are now at risk due to signs of Kiev's wavering commitment to democracy. EU leaders in particular have criticized Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych over the jailing and trial of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Tymoshenko is a hero of the Orange Revolution and the country's main opposition leader. EU and U.S. leaders believe her trial is politically motivated and have called on Yanukovych to get her released.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said Friday on Twitter that the summit is sending a "clear signal on respect for democracy and human rights as part of EU integration."

"Kiev must take note," Bildt said.

[Associated Press]

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