MINSK, 5 November (BelTA) – Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei presented proposals on developing the Eastern Partnership Initiative for the period till 2030 during events held in Sweden to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the initiative, BelTA has learned.
The visit of Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei to Sweden on 5 November was the first working trip to Sweden in the history of Belarusian-Swedish relations. Vladimir Makei took part in a high-level meeting on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership Initiative upon the invitation of Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Anne Linde and Minister for International Development Cooperation Peter Eriksson. Ministers of foreign affairs of the other countries the European Union’s initiative targets also took part in the meeting. Those are Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. A Polish deputy minister of foreign affairs and representatives of the European Commission also took part in the meeting.
In his speech Vladimir Makei presented Belarus’ proposals on developing the Eastern Partnership Initiative for the period till 2030. He drew attention to the key problems the initiative faces. Vladimir Makei stressed that the Eastern Partnership should become a region of stability and prosperity aiming for concrete results. Vladimir Makei urged the European Union to continue supporting negotiations on Belarus’ accession to the WTO and start work on the framework agreement.
Vladimir Makei emphasized the advisability of the European Union simplifying import from EaP countries. He called for tighter manufacturing cooperation between European companies and companies residing in EaP countries.
The Belarusian minister of foreign affairs met with his Swedish counterpart. Vladimir Makei and Anne Linde exchanged opinions about Belarus’ relations with the European Union and the future of the Eastern Partnership Initiative. Belarusian-Swedish relations were discussed. Human rights were touched upon.
Vladimir Makei also met with Speaker of the Parliament of Sweden Andreas Norlen. The meeting focused on Belarus-Sweden interparliamentary cooperation, interaction within the framework of multilateral regional initiatives.