Belarus aims for equality in Eastern Partnership initiative

“Belarus has a positive view on the participation in the Eastern Partnership initiative. We believe that Belarus should participate in it on the basis of equality,” remarked the minister. He added, the possibility of Belarus’ taking part in the initiative will depend on the final form of the document.

Speaking about the Belarusian-Lithuanian agreement on transboundary travels, Sergei Martynov remarked, intensive negotiations are in progress and will not complete till the end of the year. A lot of issues have to be dealt with as a new mechanism will be created and a lot of technical issues will have to be settled because of that.

The negotiations also touched upon the plans to build a nuclear power plant in Belarus. Sergei Martynov underscored, Belarus closely cooperates with the IAEA on the project and all decisions will be agreed with the organisation. The Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs remarked, Lithuania suggests setting up a trilateral working group of Belarus, Lithuania and Ukraine for cooperation in the energy industry. The proposal was welcomed.

The Eastern Partnership policy is aimed at essentially stepping up the level of political interaction, wide integration into the European Union economy, reinforcing the energy security and increasing financial aid. The European Commission suggests participation in the Eastern Partnership policy to six post-Soviet countries, namely Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. They are offered an agreement on association and foundation of a new European economic zone, which should become the basis for developing a common domestic market.

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