Minsk-Brussels dialogue important for Belarus entry to WTO

MINSK, 23 November (BelTA) – The second round of the expert dialogue Belarus-EU on economic and financial affairs took place at premises of the European Commission in Brussels, the press service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry told BelTA.

The Belarusian part of the dialogue was headed by Deputy Economy Minister Mr Dmitry Golukhov. The Belarusian delegation included representatives of the Foreign Ministry, the Representative Office of Belarus in the European Union, the Finance Ministry, the Economy Ministry, and the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus.

The European side was represented by officials of the European Commission Directorate General for Economy and Finance, the European Commission, and the European External Action Service. At the meeting the sides shared views about the main macroeconomic trends in Belarus and the European Union. The sides confirmed their mutual interest in further quality expansion of contacts on economic and financial matters. The practical importance of the dialogue was mentioned in view of Belarus’ accession to the WTO and the development of new country programs for cooperation with Belarus by international financial institutions.

The Belarusian side presented information about the progress in privatization and economic liberalization in Belarus, participation in the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia. The third round of the dialogue will take place in Minsk in autumn 2013.