Belarus: Andrei Popov, Foreign Ministry Press Secretary, responding to media questions following the

Response: Firstly, to comment in detail on what you rightly highlighted, let us wait for a concrete text that would be adopted. As for the dialogue, it is a very fair and logical point, a very fair message from our European counterparts.

As you know, currently such dialogue between the Republic of Belarus and the European Union continues. We are pleased to note that this dialogue is getting more pragmatic and mutually beneficial. On a number of issues of mutual interest, we have moved much forward in terms of concrete outcome. You may well know about closer working contacts between the energy agencies of Belarus and the European Union. We also record good dynamics in agriculture. We therefore will take further efforts to ensure that this cooperation acquires a more pragmatic nature and is mutually beneficial for both sides.

Prime-TASS: Recently, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Mr. Ushackas, while on a visit to Prague, said that the Lithuanian side expressed concern over the plans of Belarus to build up a nuclear plant not far from the border, and suggested that the European Union should set up a special commission to consider security issues and environmental effects. Perhaps, there have already been any propositions, requests on that matter from the European Union? And, in overall, can you comment on that concern of the Lithuanian side?

And, secondly, could you announce the official position of Belarus regarding the gas conflict that is now taking place between the neighbours, Ukraine and Russia? Especially, in terms that implicitly Belarus found itself involved into the conflict as Russia increased gas transportation through the territory of Belarus to Europe.

Response: In respect of building up nuclear plant, we have repeatedly, and on different levels, emphasized that we conduct this work in strong conformity with our international obligations.

What we mean as the international obligations of Belarus is the following. First, it is our implementation of the Aarhus Convention. Under these obligations, we have already maintained subsequent working contacts with our Lithuanian colleagues and the joint work here is underway. Perhaps, it takes more time than wished for by both sides. But on this issue, there are no fundamental hurdles and its possible aspects have exclusively technical nature.

We consider our commitments within the International Atomic Energy Agency, the IAEA, are the second part of our international obligations. Here, we also firmly follow the relevant legally binding documents adopted within that organization.

All work on the practical implementation of our plans to build up the nuclear plant in Belarus was carried out in a very close cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Therefore we will continue our work in the run-up to building up the nuclear plant precisely with due respect of the international obligations of Belarus.

As for the gas conflict, we believe, though, that this matter in that concrete aspect is an issue of relations between the two parties involved. We hope that the dispute will be resolved in the near future to meet with the satisfaction of both sides and the interests of all countries.

BelaPAN: In December last year, the representatives of the Council of Europe said that an information office of the Council of Europe was expected to be launched in Minsk in mid-January. When can that happen?

Response: Indeed, contacts on the issue continue. I think that as soon as any outcome is achieved, we will certainly inform you on that. We do not backtrack in our position on that issue. The work on that matter will continue.

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