Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 23 March (BelTA) – The European Union is ready to take further steps to expand trade and economic ties with Belarus. Andrea Wiktorin, Head of the European Union Delegation to Belarus, made the statement as she met with Belarusian Trade Minister Vladimir Koltovich in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

According to Andrea Wiktorin, the Council of the European Union has worked out measures that may be taken for the sake of establishing closer ties with the Republic of Belarus, including assistance with accession to the WTO and better access to resources of European financial institutions.

Vladimir Koltovich said the European Union is important for Belarus as the second largest market for Belarusian exports after Russia. In 2015 Belarus’ trade with the European Union totaled $14.4 billion, with the European Union’s share in Belarus’ export at 32.2%. The European Union also accounts for about half of the country’s investment import.

The meeting also touched upon the state and prospects of further advancing Belarus’ relations with the European Union.

The Head of the European Union Delegation to Belarus also invited the Belarusian Trade Minister to take part in the investment forum that will take place in Vienna in April 2016.