Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 29 June (BelTA) – Belarus is interested in continued participation in the Eastern Partnership Initiative. The statement was made by Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei during the press conference held on 29 June after the fifth informal dialogue of the ministers of foreign affairs of the EaP participating countries, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Makei remarked that they had had an open and constructive exchange of opinions, ideas, and approaches with regard to the future development of the Eastern Partnership Initiative taking into account the summit in Riga and the complicated situation in the region. “In particular, we discussed ways to add more flexibility to the Eastern Partnership Initiative and adapt it to the needs and priorities of each of the six partnering states,” said the Minister.

The importance of differentiating the approaches to each country was emphasized during the meeting. At the same time most of the participants spoke in favor of preserving and bolstering the multilateral format of the Eastern Partnership Initiative as a uniting factor and an important instrument for expanding regional cooperation, noted Vladimir Makei. He also explained that close attention had been paid to four directions of cooperation that were emphasized in the final declaration of the Riga summit.

Those directions are stronger institutions and proper management, mobility, the expansion of market opportunities as well as interconnections or transport and energy in other words. “The importance of implementing concrete large-scale projects and initiatives to the benefit of the region’s countries and our citizens was noted,” said the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs.