Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 June (BelTA) – Belarus and the European Union have managed to build relationships of trust in recent years, Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn said as he met with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on 21 June, BelTA has learned.

“First of all, I would like to agree with you that in recent years we have managed to develop relationships of trust. This is the only way to achieve anything specific for the benefit of people. My vision rests on creation of a prosperity belt within the framework of the European Union and the European partnership. This will serve as the best guarantee for our security and stability,” Johannes Hahn said.

He underlined that this can be achieved only through improving the economic situation. “Economic growth means social advancement and development of the country,” he believes.

“We still see a huge gap between the economic development in the EU and in the neighboring states. This is the issue we would like to come to grips with,” the Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations concluded.