Opinions & Interviews

Visit of foreign ministers of Sweden and Finland to Minsk described as unique event

MINSK, 25 November (BelTA) – The visit to Minsk of the foreign ministers of Sweden and Finland is a unique event, Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei told a briefing for the press following a meeting with Sweden’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ann Linde and Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto in Minsk on 25 November, BelTA has learned.

According to Vladimir Makei, the visit of the Scandinavian counterparts is unique from several points of view. “This is the first visit by two foreign ministers from the Nordic Europe and Baltic regions. I am grateful to Mrs. Linde for her initiative to meet in such a group and to Mr. Haavisto for supporting it. Moreover, this is the first visit of the Swedish foreign minister to Belarus since 1992 when an agreement on diplomatic relations between our countries was signed in Minsk,” he said.

This is the third time Vladimir Makei has met with Ann Linde after her appointment in September this year. This is a record high for such a short period, the minister noted.

Among the issues discussed by the foreign ministers were the agreements on visa facilitation and readmission, ways to intensify work on the Belarus-EU partnership priorities, prospects for the framework agreement with the EU, Belarus' accession to the WTO, development of the Eastern Partnership post 2020.

The talks touched on regional security issues. Particular attention was paid to joint economic projects. “We are extremely interested in developing comprehensive trade and economic contacts with Sweden and Finland,”  the minister stressed.

“Human rights are a traditional element of our dialogue with the European Union, including Sweden and Finland. Today we also openly exchanged opinions on the matter, including the topics where we have different views,” he said.

Vladimir Makei thanked the colleagues for an open and honest dialogue. “I am confident that it will contribute to the bilateral relations between our countries and between Belarus and the European Union,” he said.

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