MINSK, 4 June (BelTA) – The start of negotiations on the Belarus-EU framework agreement must become a top priority in the relations between Belarus and the European Union in the near future, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at an expert conference “Eastern Partnership at 10: Results and Ways Forward” on 4 June, BelTA has learned.
“Like many politicians and businesses in the West, Belarus sees great promise in a harmonized economic space from Lisbon to Vladivostok. In our view, to make this vision a reality, Belarus and the EU should sign a framework agreement taking into account Belarus' commitments to the EAEU and its aspiration to join the WTO, which will hopefully make progress after the appropriate negotiations with the EU are complete. The commencement of the negotiations on the agreement without preconditions should be a top priority in the relations between Belarus and the EU in the near future,” Vladimir Makei said.
According to the minister, Belarus is synchronizing the work to improve conditions for people's mobility both in the east and in the west. The country is completing its work on the appropriate visa agreements with the EU. Belarus has also relaxed entry rules for citizens of a number of countries for the stay of up to 30 days. “This is not the limit. We will continue working on further liberalization of the visa policy,” the minister said.
