MINSK, 18 February (BelTA) – The possibility of organizing a high-level event on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership in Minsk was discussed during the visit of European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Gunther Oettinger to Minsk, BelTA learned from the EU Delegation to Belarus.
“During the meetings with President Alexander Lukashenko, Prime Minister Sergei Rumas, Finance Minister Maksim Yermalovich and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleg Kravchenko, the Commissioner discussed the state of EU-Belarus relations. The Commissioner welcomed Belarus' active participation in the Eastern Partnership which is celebrating the 10th anniversary this year. Acknowledging Belarus' increased interest in the multilateral dimension of the Eastern Partnership, the Commissioner discussed the possibility for Minsk to host a high-level event in the framework of the 10thanniversary of the Eastern Partnership,” the delegation said.
"I welcome the open and constructive dialogue which we had today with President Lukashenko and a number of members of his government. The European Union and Belarus have made good progress on a number of initiatives in the bilateral relationship over the last three years. This should help us to further strengthen cooperation between Belarus and the EU in the near future. An agreement on our Partnership Priorities would be an important milestone on that road,” the Commissioner said after the meeting with the Belarusian president.
He added that the EU has stepped up financial cooperation with Belarus over the last few years.
According to the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oleg Kravchenko and Gunther Oettinger discussed the prospects for expanding political dialogue and increasing trade and economic cooperation between Belarus an the EU. The parties also talked over issues related to customs cooperation and the EU's international technical assistance for 2021-2027. The parties agreed to continue expanding cooperation in the areas of mutual interest.
