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On 14 September 2001 Lithuania joined the European Union's statement on the course of the presidential elections in Belarus. The statement is based on the conclusions of international observers and notes that the presidential elections in Belarus were not conducted according to the OSCE rules on democratic elections. The EU regrets that the opposition, national observers, independent press and non-governmental observers were prevented from performing their duties. The EU statement reminds that the development of the relations with Belarus depends on the respect of human rights and the course of the democratic process in the country. In the document the EU stresses an appearance of the indications of pluralism and the civil society in Belarus, however, at the same time a regret that Belarusian administration failed to take the opportunity of these elections to put the country on the track of democratization is expressed. The EU will continue to support the democratization of Belarus and will hold relevant consultations with all the Belarusian political forces, which are ready to work in that direction. The EU supports the activities of the OSCE monitoring group in Belarus, which can contribute to the transition of this country to democracy.