The European Union (EU) denounce on Thursday"undemocratic developments" in Belarus as the March 19 presidential elections there drew nearer.

EU's External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said a new wave of arrests of Belarus opposition leaders was " completely unacceptable", expressing dismay at reports of the arrest of prominent opposition member Anatoly Lebedko and others.

"Such arrests have no place in the conduct of free and fair elections. I call again on the Belarusian authorities to release immediately those opposition members who are currently still detained," she said in a statement.

European Parliament President Josep Borrell also issued a statement of concern making clear that any progress in Belarus' relations with the EU would depend on "the holding of fair and transparent presidential elections".

Source: Xinhua