Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus V.Makei takes part in the video-conference of the Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers’ meeting

On June 11, 2020 Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei took part in the video-conference of the meeting of the foreign ministers of EU member states and Eastern Partnership countries.

Minister Makei stressed the importance of joint actions to overcome the socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, welcomed the EU’s intention to provide assistance to the Republic of Belarus in this area, and thanked those EU member states that have already provided such assistance.

Speaking about the vision of the Eastern Partnership’s future, the Minister emphasized the importance of promoting foreign investment, facilitating partner countries’ access to the EU market, developing energy and transport communications, introducing “green” and information technologies. The Minister called for supporting Belarus’ proposal to establish a regional Eastern Partnership IT-school in Minsk.

Minister Makei highlighted the upcoming entry into force in July of the Visa Facilitation Agreement with the EU as one of the deliverables of the Eastern Partnership and stressed the need for the early start of negotiations on a new Belarus – EU framework agreement.

The Minister reaffirmed Belarus’ commitment to the vision of the Eastern Partnership as a non-confrontational initiative aimed at creating an area of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and bringing tangible results for the benefit of the partner countries.

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