Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 17 November (BelTA) – The European Union hopes to reach a point of no return in the development of relations with Belarus, Dirk Schuebel, the head of the division for bilateral relations with the Eastern Partnership countries in the European External Action Service, said at Minsk Forum 2017 on 17 November, BelTA has learned.

“I hope that in the future we will reach this point of no return, enter a new stage, a new level in the discussion of a new agreement between Belarus and the EU. All the preconditions have already been created. We have a coordination group that discusses all areas of our cooperation. The group meets twice a year. In late December the group is expected to meet in Brussels,” said Dirk Schuebel

In his words, the parties discuss partnership priorities, i.e. the first package of activities on which a consensus should be reached with the Belarusian partners. “The list of these priorities also features the measures to stimulate the economy, including through the implementation of digital technologies,” the EU representative said.

Dirk Schuebel also stressed the importance of promoting the civil society. “We believe this is an important topic. We see the positive signals here. Actually, the economy and civil society are closely intertwined,” he said.

Cooperation in environmental issues is among the priorities.

The EU representative also noted the increase in trade with the EU, in the export from Belarus. “We have a great potential in economy. Although we need progress in other areas too,” he added.

“In general, we are moving in the right direction. We expect concrete steps from the Belarusian side, the effect of which will be measurable. I am not pessimistic as regards the future of our potential,” Dirk Schuebel said.