Opinions & Interviews

BRUSSELS, 24 November (BelTA) – In recent years Belarus and the EU have gone a good way towards the normalization of relations, Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics told the media on the sidelines of the Eastern Partnership summit in Brussels, BelTA has learned.

“How the relations between the EU and Belarus will develop is in the hands of Minsk and Brussels and other EU member states. Comparing the relationship between the EU and Belarus in December 2014 and in December 2017, I think we can say that we have passed a very good way towards the normalization of relations,” the minister noted.

He added that there are issues on the agenda. For example, the construction of the nuclear power plant in Belarus was raised once again. “Our position has always been the same. We should address all the issues through negotiations, inspections. We should search for an approach that would, on the one hand, guarantee safety and, on the other, your sovereign right to build a nuclear power plant,” said Edgars Rinkevics.

As for the signing of the agreement between Belarus and the EU, he stressed that both Minsk and Brussels, and also other countries should decide on how and in what areas to cooperate.

“I can see good progress. The main thing is not to harm and to continue a fair exchange of opinions,” the minister said.