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22.07.2019
Lukashenko: Belarus sees no obstacles to closer political dialogue with EU
MINSK (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to engage in closer political dialogue with the European Union, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with outgoing Head of the EU Delegation to Belarus Andrea Wiktorin on 22 July said, BelTA has learned.
“Today there are no obstacles to closer dialogue not only on economic but also political matters. Belarus is ready for this. Let us move forward in this direction, without waiting for any kind of events: be it parliamentary or presidential elections. I think our relations are more important than any political campaigns in Belarus or in your countries,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The head of state highlighted Andrea Wiktorin's great contribution to the development of relations between Belarus and the European Union, stressing that in recent years they have been developing most effectively. “I thank you on behalf of the Belarusian people for this period of time that you worked in Belarus and that was very positive in our relations with the EU. I very much hope that the incoming EU diplomat will fill your shoes. I wish you every success in Armenia. This country is friendly to Belarus, very similar in some things. So you will easily get up to speed. Please, remember that the four years was a period in your life connected with Belarus. You will always be welcome in Belarus. The more so that you do not need a visa,” the Belarusian president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed gratitude for the financial support that the EU provides to the projects in Belarus, including those to develop infrastructure. “This will benefit both Belarusians and Europeans,” he said.
Andrea Wiktorin, on her part, said that over the past few years Belarus and the European Union have been able to build a relationship of trust. “We engage in an open dialogue on political themes, economic issues and also on specific, individual matters such as trade, customs, and so on,” she said.
As it has been reported, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini announced a number of senior nominations on 9 July. Dirk Schuebel, who is currently serving as Head of the EEAS Russia Division, has been nominated to head the EU Delegation to Belarus. Andrea Wiktorin, the current head of the EU Delegation to Belarus, has been nominated as head of the EU Delegation to Armenia.
“Today there are no obstacles to closer dialogue not only on economic but also political matters. Belarus is ready for this. Let us move forward in this direction, without waiting for any kind of events: be it parliamentary or presidential elections. I think our relations are more important than any political campaigns in Belarus or in your countries,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The head of state highlighted Andrea Wiktorin's great contribution to the development of relations between Belarus and the European Union, stressing that in recent years they have been developing most effectively. “I thank you on behalf of the Belarusian people for this period of time that you worked in Belarus and that was very positive in our relations with the EU. I very much hope that the incoming EU diplomat will fill your shoes. I wish you every success in Armenia. This country is friendly to Belarus, very similar in some things. So you will easily get up to speed. Please, remember that the four years was a period in your life connected with Belarus. You will always be welcome in Belarus. The more so that you do not need a visa,” the Belarusian president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed gratitude for the financial support that the EU provides to the projects in Belarus, including those to develop infrastructure. “This will benefit both Belarusians and Europeans,” he said.
Andrea Wiktorin, on her part, said that over the past few years Belarus and the European Union have been able to build a relationship of trust. “We engage in an open dialogue on political themes, economic issues and also on specific, individual matters such as trade, customs, and so on,” she said.
As it has been reported, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini announced a number of senior nominations on 9 July. Dirk Schuebel, who is currently serving as Head of the EEAS Russia Division, has been nominated to head the EU Delegation to Belarus. Andrea Wiktorin, the current head of the EU Delegation to Belarus, has been nominated as head of the EU Delegation to Armenia.