Věra Flasarová, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group. – (CS) Ladies and gentlemen, as a member of the delegation to Belarus on behalf of the Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left, I do not agree with the draft resolution, and I shall explain why. One might be forgiven for thinking, from the debate in Parliament, that the opposition candidate could win the election in Belarus, but we know that Lukashenko will continue in office. What will happen next? What sort of relations will we have with Belarus? We must remember that Belarus is not just Lukashenko and the people in positions of privilege, but a nation that has not had an entirely negative experience with the regime, as it undeniably enjoys certain social benefits, for example free education and health care. We are well aware of how close relations are between Belarus and Moscow, and the importance of the development of this small country for its large neighbour. It is no secret that both countries are preparing to draw closer than they have been before. The European Union’s strategy towards Belarus is therefore, in the final analysis, also a strategy towards Russia.