Opinions & Interviews

Belarus-EU negotiations on partnership priorities, visa facilitation in final phase

MINSK, 4 February (BelTA) – Negotiations on priorities of Belarus’ partnership with the European Union and on agreements on simplifying visa procedures and readmission have reached the final phase, BelTA learned from the review released by the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sum up results of the country’s foreign policy and the ministry’s efforts in 2018.

According to the source, negotiations on Belarus-European Union partnership priorities have reached the final phase. They are supposed to evolve into a roadmap to guide cooperation in 2019-2020 in four fields: enhancement of the state administration system; economic development and market opportunities; transport communications, power engineering, ecology, and climate; contacts between people. Negotiations with the European Union on agreements on facilitating visa procedures and on readmission have reached the final phase, the review reads.

The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that positive dynamics in relations with the European Union remains in place. 2018 was intensive in the number of and the level of visits and political contacts. The Belarus-EU coordinating group continues operating. Dialogues have been arranged to discuss economy and finance, trade, customs affairs, and environmental protection. Representatives of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs took part in multiple events arranged within the framework of the Eastern Partnership Initiative.

The lingering European Union sanctions have been corrected to reduce their scope. Small-bore sport weapons are no longer subject to the arms embargo.

Credit and investment cooperation has been invigorated. Agreements have been signed with the European Investment Bank. They are geared towards implementing projects to support small and medium business, reconstruct the water purification infrastructure in Belarus. New mechanisms to provide technical aid to Belarus via European grants for the sake of construction and modernization of economically important installations have been engaged.

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