MINSK, 5 December (BelTA) – Germany supports Belarus’ efforts to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). The statement was made by Director for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany Michael Siebert in his speech during the 17th Minsk Forum on 4 December, BelTA has learned. The forum focuses on Belarus’ place in Europe, opportunities for foreign policy, economy, civil society, and culture.
Michael Siebert said: “We would like to support Belarus’ accession to the World Trade Organization.” The diplomat noted that Belarus plays an important role as a link between the East and the West. In his opinion, the Belarusian foreign policy has great prospects in this regard.
Michael Siebert drew attention to the positive advancement of Belarus’ dialogue with the European Union. “We have a lot of work ahead of us. The German federal government strongly desires to cooperate with Belarus. We are ready to continue advancing the relations, including within the framework of Belarusian-European cooperation and the Eastern Partnership Initiative.” The diplomat stressed that Belarus-Germany relations had seen their own ups and downs but the relations are now stabilized.
Michael Siebert described the Minsk Forum as an important dialogue platform for advancing Belarus-Germany cooperation.