Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 30 October (BelTA) – The trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and the European Union has been steadily developing, Belarus’ Prime Minister Sergei Rumas said during a meeting with Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, BelTA has learned.

"It is great that your visits to Belarus have become regular. For Belarus, the European Union is one of the key guarantors of stability and sustainable development in Europe. Today our trade and economic cooperation with the EU has been steadily developing. Belarusian exports to the EU soared by 43% in January-August 2018. This is a very good result. We expect the investment cooperation will boost once the European Investment Bank launches its activity in Belarus. We positively mark the start of a joint project with the EU on the regulation of illegal migration with a budget of €7 million on 23 October. We also welcome Belarus’ inclusion in the project to improve the efficiency of the state apparatus,” said Sergei Rumas.

According to the prime minister, Belarus attaches great attention to its participation in the Eastern Partnership program. “We are confident that this program should contribute to the sustainable economic development of our region. Next year will mark 10 years of the initiative. I believe we need to strengthen its ability to produce concrete economic results. In this respect it is important to sign an agreement between Belarus and the European Union,” he stressed.

Johannes Hahn will take part in the Munich Security Conference Core Group Meeting in Minsk. Bilateral meetings are expected as well.