Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus V.Makei participates in the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Eastern Partnership countries and the EU Member States

16 October 2018

15-10-2018

On October 15, 2018 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Vladimir Makei, took part in the 9th Eastern Partnership (EaP) Ministerial meeting at the invitation of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and the Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn. The meeting brought together EU Foreign Ministers and their counterparts from six Eastern Partnership countries.

Participants of the meeting reviewed progress in implementing “20 Deliverables for 2020” arising from the Brussels Summit declaration of November 2017. Delegations shared views on the topical issues on the international agenda, including the situation in Eastern Europe and also discussed events to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Eastern Partnership in 2019.

In his statement at the plenary session, V.Makei voiced Belarus' commitment to preserving and promoting the Eastern Partnership as an inclusive, pragmatic and non-confrontational initiative. Foreign Minister also emphasized the need for prompt delivery of the agreements and presented Belarus' approaches to implementing joint projects in vital economic sectors.

During the bilateral meeting, V.Makei and J.Hahn reviewed progress in working out Partnership Priorities for Belarus and the EU for 2018-2020, discussed agreements on easing visa regulations and readmission, the schedule of high-level visits and cooperation with the European Parliament.

On the margins of the event, V.Makei held bilateral meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney.

During the meeting with P.Szijjarto, the Ministers of Belarus and Hungary welcomed progress in promoting the political dialogue and ministerial contacts and pointed to the high level of bilateral cooperation in economy, humanitarian field and other areas. The sides emphasized the importance of consistent work of the intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation to be held in Minsk in early November. The parties also discussed cooperation within international organizations and the Belarus-EU dialogue.

V.Makei and S.Coveney discussed ways to expand Belarusian-Irish political, trade and economic relations, cooperation between Belarus and the European Union, as well as contacts within the framework of international organizations. V.Makei underlined the extensive support Ireland offered Belarus in mitigating the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. The parties reaffirmed commitment to facilitating contacts between the business communities of the two countries.