Opinions & Interviews

Belarus, EU seen as neighbors helping each other

MINSK, 28 March (BelTA) – Belarus sees relations with the European Union as relations between neighbors, who help each other. Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleg Kravchenko made the statement during the seminar Reassessing Sovereignty in Today’s World on 28 March, BelTA has learned. The seminar was arranged by the expert initiative Minsk Dialogue.

According to the diplomat, the Belarusian side expects relations with the European Union to develop successfully since the two sides are connected by common interests. Apart from that, the European Union is Belarus’ second most important trade partner. Oleg Kravchenko sees Belarus’ relations with the European Union as relations of neighbors, who help each other, do not create problems, neighbors, who donate to regional security instead of only consuming it. “The European Union should view us as a neighbor, not a country willing to join the European Union because we have no such desire for now,” he pointed out.

Speaking about Belarus’ membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, the deputy minister of foreign affairs noted that this union is similar to the European one but has no political aspect. “I believe that the Eurasian Economic Union will grow in the interests of its members. The discussions we have certainly get heated and vigorous at times. But it proves that the countries are interested in the successful development of this organization,” Oleg Kravchenko added.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks