BRUSSELS, 13 May (BelTA) – The relations between Belarus and the European Union have not yet reached a high level, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei told reporters on 13 May in the run-up to the Eastern Partnership (EaP) ministerial meeting that brought together EU foreign ministers and their counterparts from the Eastern Partnership countries, BelTA has learned.
“The time will come and the president will be in attendance. We cannot say yet that we have achieved a high level in our relations with the European Union,” Vladimir Makei said.
The minister noted that some restrictions still remain in the cooperation between the parties and even the participation of the head of state in the events to mark the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership would not be as fruitful as it could be amidst such circumstances. “A visit of the Belarus president must be very productive, with packed agenda. We proceed from such approaches. In any case the meetings that we will have here will be very important for all the parties,” Vladimir Makei noted.
A reminder, Vladimir Makei represents Belarus at the events to mark the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership that are taking place in Brussels on 13-14 May.
On 13 May, foreign ministers of the 28 EU member states are meeting with their counterparts from the six Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine). Their annual joint session is chaired by Federica Mogherini - High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
On the same day, President Tusk will host the leaders of the Eastern Partnership countries for a dinner. The European Union will be represented by President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, Federica Mogherini, and European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn.
On 14 May, a high level conference dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the partnership will be held.
