Death penalty in Belarus remains the main obstacle for cooperation between the European Union and the country, Chief of Staff of the German Chancellery and a Federal Minister for Special Affairs said.
"The main obstacle is death penalty," Ronald Pofalla said. "Death penalty is absolutely unacceptable. "One of the important parts of the rule of law state is an absence of death penalty," he continued adding that the capital punishment not only is remained in Belarus but also implemented.
Poffala said that during his visit to Belarus he discussed the issue with candidates for the presidential post in the forthcoming elections and at least seven of them agreed to abolish capital punishment if they win in the polls.
Belarus will hold presidential elections on December 19. Eleven candidates have secured the required number of signatures (at least 100,000) to run for president.
MINSK, November 4 (RIA Novosti)