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6 April 2009 The European Union announced that it would launch a human rights dialogue with Belarus with meetings at least once a year, part of an EU policy to promote democracy and dilute Russia's influence. "The council decides to launch a structured troika human rights dialogue with the Republic of Belarus," said a statement, endorsed in Luxembourg at a meeting of justice and interior ministers. No date was given for the launch of this dialogue, which will involve Belarus representatives and officials from the European Commission and the EU council, which represents the 27 Member States. Belarus, branded Europe's last dictatorship by the United States, has already indicated that it wants to take part in talks on human rights issues, a Commission official said. Last month, EU foreign ministers decided not to enforce a travel ban against Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko and other senior officials, hoping to encourage democratic reforms and dilute Russian influence over its neighbour. Lukashenko has ruled the ex-soviet republic of 10 million people in an authoritarian fashion since 1994 but has since made attempts at greater openness including by hiring a western PR firm and cautious economic reform. Apart from addressing human rights issues, the dialogue is "to discuss questions of mutual interest", the statement said. Council Conclusions on establishing the EU - Belarus Human Rights Dialogue. The Council adopted the following conclusions: 1. "The Council recalls its conclusions on Belarus from 16 March 2009, in which the Council looked forward to the launch of a Human Rights Dialogue with the Republic of Belarus. 2. The Council notes that the objectives of the Human Rights dialogue with the Republic of Belarus are on the one hand to raise human rights issues in Belarus and in the European Union and, on the other hand, to discuss questions of mutual interest and enhance dialogue on human rights topics in multilateral fora. 3. The Council decides to launch a structured Troika Human Rights Dialogue with the Republic of Belarus. The dialogue should be held at least once per year, with meetings convened alternately in the Republic of Belarus and in the European Union."
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