2. Welcomes the release of the remaining political prisoners and considers this to be potential progress towards improving relations between the EU and Belarus; calls on the Belarusian Government to rehabilitate the released political prisoners and to fully restore their civic and political rights; recalls that past opportunities for improving relations did not materialise as steps taken by the author
ities in Minsk were strictly of a tactical nature; expresses its hope, therefore, with reservations, that this time the action will b
...[+++]e followed by measures providing solid grounds for a breakthrough in bilateral relations;