MINSK, 11 June (BelTA) - Belarus hopes for productive negotiations with the EU on the framework and customs agreements, Belarus' Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said during a videoconference of the ministers of foreign affairs of the European Union's Eastern Partnership Initiative participating countries on 11 June, BelTA learned from the press service of the ministry.
“For Belarus one of the tangible results of the Eastern Partnership initiative over the last decade has been the signing of the agreements on visa facilitation and readmission, which will come into force on 1 July. Now we count on productive negotiations with the EU on the customs agreement and the beginning of the negotiations on the Belarus-EU framework agreement as the next logical steps,” Vladimir Makei said.
He stressed that Belarus remains committed to the vision of the Eastern Partnership as a non-confrontational project aimed at creating a zone of peace, stability and prosperity in the region. In his opinion, this EU initiative should meet the individual needs and ambitions of each partner, motivating them to work together, be close to people and bring tangible results. “We are ready to further contribute to making this future a reality,” the minister said.