MINSK, 22 June (BelTA) – The presidency of the Central European Initiative (CEI) is an additional opportunity for Belarus to improve understanding with the European Union through practical cooperation, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with the ministers of foreign affairs of the CEI member states on 22 June, BelTA has learned.
“We view our presidency as a unique opportunity for Belarus to effectively engage in the European integration processes. It is important that the CEI cooperates closely with the European Union, participates in its various programs and projects, including the regional development strategy. We see this as an additional opportunity to improve understanding with the European Union through practical cooperation,” the Belarusian leader noted.
Besides, Belarus believes that its CEI presidency is a great chance to step up the interaction with other CEI participating countries. Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that some of the foreign ministers attending the meeting in Minsk will also have bilateral meetings with their Belarusian colleagues. “I very much hope that these meetings will result in concrete political and economic agreements,” the head of state stressed.
