MINSK, February 24 (BelTA) - Belarus has a positive view on the invitation to participate in the Eastern Partnership programme, said Press Secretary of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry Andrei Popov when asked about certain aspects of the development of Belarus relations with the European Union and the USA. “As far as we were informed by our European partners, the essence of the decision taken yesterday is that ministers of foreign affairs of the European Union just confirmed the previously outlined general concept of the EU programme Eastern Partnership, which provides for inviting six countries, including Belarus, to participate in the programme,” remarked Andrei Popov. In his words, Belarus has a positive attitude towards the step and believes it is a step in the right direction. “We are ready to continue serious and objective participation in discussing the topic. Simultaneously we strictly adhere to the previously voiced position of Belarus that the final mechanism of the Eastern Partnership should be equitable and non-discriminatory towards all potential participants,” said the Foreign Ministry Press Secretary. The Eastern Partnership policy is aimed at essentially stepping up the level of political interaction, wide integration into the European Union economy, reinforcing the energy security and increasing financial aid. The European Commission suggests participation in the Eastern Partnership policy to six post-Soviet countries, namely Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. They are offered an agreement on association and foundation of a new European economic zone, which should become the basis for developing a common domestic market.
www.belta.by


Back to "All news" |   Print version