Opinions & Interviews

Pekka Haavisto calls Belarus-Finland relations pragmatic

MINSK, 25 November (BelTA) – Belarus and Finland have developed really good and pragmatic relations, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto said as he met with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko on 25 November, BelTA has learned.

“It is important to discuss relations between Finland and Belarus, because these are indeed good and pragmatic relations. We are promoting our trade and economic contacts and we see some very positive trends in this field,” Pekka Haavisto said.

The minister noted that the Belarusian ambassador to Finland is working very hard “to promote Belarus and make it even more interesting to the Finns”.

Pekka Haavisto welcomed successful cooperation in the forestry industry, agriculture and nuclear security. “We have ideas how to strengthen security of your station in Ostrovets and how to promote contacts between the two peoples. We are also ready to discuss matters related to human rights,” the diplomat noted.

He recalled that Belarus and the European Union are getting ready to sign the visa facilitation and readmission agreements. The minister hopes that the signing of these documents will help maintain good relations in the future.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks