MINSK, 4 October (BelTA) – Belarus has proposed to create an instrument to support education of students from the European Union member states in universities of Belarus and other Eastern European countries, Belarus Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleg Kravchenko said at the Belarus-EU consultation on the future of the Eastern Partnership on 4 October, BelTA has learned.
Oleg Kravchenko believes that such services are in demand in the European Union. He proposed to launch a pilot project to assess the demand for starters.
Oleg Kravchenko also spoke about proposals to base studies of business and innovation on the University 3.0 model and develop educational programs in order to introduce a new smart specialization in universities which offer business degrees. The proposals have been put forward by the Belarusian Education Ministry.
Oleg Kravchenko pointed out that it is necessary to actively involve the EaP member states in the process of planning the EaP activities, design its projects and programs. He believes that it would be useful to encourage the partners to draft and submit projects and programs themselves. “Many of you know how the EU cross-border cooperation programs run: the European Commission merely lays down the basic rules and approves final decisions, while countries set up joint bodies which establish quality criteria for projects, hold contests in association with a lot of local organizations and select the best projects for implementation themselves,” Oleg Kravchenko said. He noted that the Eastern Partnership could use the elements of this system in a way that will not require its fundamental overhaul.
The consultation on the future of the Eastern Partnership was initiated by the European Union on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the EaP.
The consultation on the future of the Eastern Partnership is taking place on 4 October and consists of three consecutive panels. Representatives of legislative and executive authorities, civil society and other participants of the forum will discuss a broad range of issues, with a focus on ways to boost cooperation in the Eastern Partnership.
The Eastern Partnership initiative was launched in May 2009. It aims to build closer ties between the European Union and six Eastern European partners, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
