MFA: the summit in Riga contributed to the revival of Belarus dialogue with the EU
Nina Gurina. Belarusian foreign Minister Vladimir Makei believes that the program "Eastern partnership" contributed to the revival of the dialogue between Belarus and the EU.
The summit of "Eastern partnership" of the EU will be held in Riga on 21-22 may. Program participants are Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
Eastern partnership contributed to some revival of dialogue and interaction between Belarus and the EU ", - is reported in the statement of Mackay at the plenary session of the summit of "Eastern partnership" in Riga, the text of which is posted on the Internet office of the foreign Ministry of Belarus.
He noticed that since the Vilnius summit of "Eastern partnership" some progress has been made in the relationship and launched a number of new directions, including meetings on the problems of modernization and dialogues on agreements on visa facilitation and readmission." Just these days we signed an agreement on cooperation on early warning mechanism in the energy sector. Anticipated launch of the partnership for mobility problems, " said Mackay. However, according to him, the cooperation potential remains largely unrealized.
The Minister tried to persuade through an open dialogue to overcome the existing difficulties in the relationship and expressed the hope that Minsk and Brussels will soon be able to reach a new level in the relationship - without penalties or restrictions." We need a more flexible, focused and pragmatic " Eastern partnership ", which would take into account the desires and priorities of each of the States parties ", - noted the Minister of foreign Affairs of Belarus.
He called for a differentiated approach to the Eastern partnership members and adherence to the principles of equality and community." Such differentiation should open a number of opportunities at various levels that stakeholders could apply together with the EU, and so to come to resembling the format of the relationship and cooperation, " He explained.
Mackay believes that in order "again to consolidate an increasingly fragmented" Eastern partnership " should be put at the center of its attention to economic issues."