The political progress achieved in Belarus during the six months visa ban suspension period is largely cosmetic, and can be easily reversed. Nevertheless, it is essential to build on the positive dynamics accumulated since the beginning of the dialogue between the EU and the Belarusian government. The EU should therefore give Belarusian authorities a second chance and extend the sanctions suspension period for another six months. This was the dominant opinion expressed by the representatives of Belarusian civil society during the debate on the situation in Belarus and the future of EU-Belarus relations that took place at the European Parliament on 4 March 2009. The event was organised by the parliamentary groups of the Party of European Socialists and the European People’s Party (European Democrats) in the European Parliament in co-operation with the Office for a Democratic Belarus and the Pontis Foundation and brought together representatives of Belarusian NGOs, MEPs, the Belarusian Ambassador to the EU, NATO and Belgium, senior officials of the EU Council and the European Commission, as well as other interested parties.
On May 25-27, 2009 the Association of the Local Democracy Agencies (ALDA), Lev Sapieha Foundation (Belarus), and the Municipality of Monfalcone (Italy) organized an international conference ‘The Millennium Development Goals and the state of art in Belarus. The role of initiatives from civil society and local authorities in order to promote a more equitable, open and democratic society’.
On April 16, a round table ‘Schengen visa liberalisation policy towards Belarus and Belarus-EU cooperation in the field of tourism’ took place in the European Parliament. The event was organised by the vice-chairman of the Delegation for relations with Belarus, Latvian MEP Aldis Kuskis (EPP-ED group), in cooperation with the Office for a Democratic Belarus (Brussels).
Briefing of the Belarusian experts on current situation and development outlook for Belarus for 
In October 2008 the EU granted Belarus a six-month “grace period”, temporarily lifting a visa ban on state officials. The change of policy was meant to encourage development of democracy and respect for human rights in the country. The EU is to review Belarus’ progress in April 2009, and decide whether to re-impose restrictions or expand its links with the Belarusian government. The debate organised in the European Parliament provides a forum to evaluate developments in Belarus since October 2008 and to discuss steps the EU can take in relations with Belarus after the April review.
The Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies (BISS, Vilnius, Lithuania) and the Office for a Democratic Belarus (ODB, Brussels, Belgium) would like to present a paper entitled 'New Framework toward Normalisation of Relations between the European Union and Belarus' that seeks to provide a plan of actions for the Brussels-Minsk dialogue.
As part of a visit to Brussels organised by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), representatives of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) held a press conference on the media situation in Belarus.
In the framework of the project “Support to independent media in Belarus“, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung together with the Office for a Democratic Belarus organized a discussion, entitled “The Recent Policy Swift in Belarus-EU Relations: Probation Period for Lukashenka”.
The Movement for Freedom and the Office for a Democratic Belarus (Brussels) today sent out letters to all governments of the countries -- signatories to the Schengen Agreement with an appeal to re-examine their policies regarding fees and procedures of issuing Schengen visas for Belarusian citizens.