(BRUSSELS) - The European Union's current president France Sunday welcomed the release of Belarus' highest-profile political prisoner, former presidential candidate Alexander Kozulin.

"This liberation was one of the conditions set by the European Union for the gradual resumption of dialogue with Belarus," it said in a statement.

Also hailing the release Saturday, the United States said it was anticipating "other positive steps from the Belarusian authorities that could open the possibility of a significant improvement in relations."

Kozulin, who was jailed in 2006 after leading a protest over alleged corruption in an election which returned President Alexander Lukashenko, was released Saturday.

With EU and US economic sanctions still in place, Lukashenko -- described as "Europe's last dictator" by Washington -- is seeking to improve his image ahead of parliamentary elections on September 28.

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