Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 1 November (BelTA) – The European Union welcomes the engagement of Belarusian government bodies and agencies in European integration forums, Head of the EU Delegation to Belarus Andrea Wiktorin noted at the international seminar on connectivity and interoperability between various integration processes in Europe, which took place at the international relations department at Belarusian State University on 1 November as part of Belarus’ presidency of the Central European Initiative, BelTA has learned.

Belarus has been more engaged in the events held under the aegis of the Eastern Partnership (EaP), Andrei Wiktorin said. In her opinion, Belarus has lately been more active at various international forums bolstering cooperation in many fields related to the EaP and the EU, in general.

Andrea Wiktorin also highlighted the importance of the participation of Belarusian Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov in recent events in Luxembourg, including the Belarusian-European Investment Forum. She believes that it is important to strengthen mutual understanding between Belarus and the EU. “If we understand each other better, we will boost our cooperation,” she remarked.

The EU attaches great importance to the upcoming Brussels summit meant to consider further prospects for cooperation with EaP member states, including Belarus. According to the head of the EU delegation, the European Union points to a positive momentum in cooperation with Belarus and to the country’s growing role in the international arena, especially in what concerns the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict. “I will be happy to see Belarus at the EaP summit in Brussels, which will open up new prospects for cooperation. This summit is our proposal to continue cooperation. We are glad that Belarus’ interest in it is growing,” Andrea Wiktorin added.

Speaking about the international seminar, she underlined: “The EU supports the Central European Initiative over which Belarus is currently presiding. The engagement of Belarusian government bodies and agencies in European integration processes is evident”.

Andrea Wiktorin called the topic of the seminar very important. It is about connectivity and interoperability between various integration processes in Europe. Andrea Wiktorin believes that such discussions will help strengthen mutual understanding and promote Belarus’ participation in all-European integration processes.