Makei reaffirms Belarus’ fundamental approaches to EU

MINSK, 23 July (BelTA) - Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei confirmed Belarus’ fundamental approaches to the development of relations with the European Union at the ministerial meeting of the Eastern Partnership initiative in Brussels, Belgium, on 22 July, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

Attending the event were Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Stefan Fule, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, along with heads of foreign ministries of the EU member states and partner countries.

“In his speech Vladimir Makei confirmed the fundamental approaches of the Republic of Belarus to the relations with the European Union. He also emphasized the need to step up cooperation in order to flesh out the bilateral and multilateral tracks of the Eastern Partnership initiative. The Belarusian Foreign Minister came forward with concrete proposals to strengthen economic and business ties between the EU and its partners and to expand cooperation in transport, energy and customs infrastructure,” the press service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said.

Vladimir Makei also held a number of meetings with top officials from the European External Action Service, the European Commission, the Council of Europe and foreign ministries of a number of the EU member states with whom Vladimir Makei discussed the pressing issues and the possibilities of stepping up the Belarus-EU all-round cooperation.