European Commission official visiting Minsk

A representative of the European Commission arrived in Belarus to hold talks with government officials in the framework of preparations for the Eastern Partnership launch summit that will take place in Prague on May 7.

In an interview with BelaPAN on April 8, Gunnar Wiegand, acting director for Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus and Central Asian Republics at the European Commission’s External Relations Directorate-General, said that the strengthening and development of relations between Belarus and the 27-nation bloc required a number of steps from both sides.

The official said that he had met with Foreign Minister Syarhey Martynaw, representatives of the Presidential Administration, the energy, economy and transport ministries.

Mr. Wiegand also had meetings with civil society activists, independent economists and representatives of international financial institutions that have offices in Belarus.

“I’m pleased to say that this is the mutual wish of Belarus and the European Union to deepen and strengthen our relationship. The full normalization will be possible for the European Union only if Belarus takes further steps in the five key areas identified by our foreign ministers, which relate to electoral framework reform, freedom of assembly, possibilities for non-governmental organizations to work freely in the country, media freedom and restrictions of freedom for individuals,” he said.

He stressed that further steps by the Belarusian government should be “sustainable and maintained” and allow Belarusian society to become a “society which is based on the principles of democracy and human rights.”

Mr. Wiegand said that the European Union was taking steps “in support of Belarus” and was in talks with Minsk on “concrete cooperation in the field of energy where we will soon sign a memorandum of cooperation in key areas.” “We have stepped up our cooperation on transport, customs and environmental issues. We have also started macrofinancial dialogue, which is very important in terms of this financial and economic crisis,” he said, adding that “it was also thanks to Europe’s position” that the International Monetary Fund had agreed to issue a $2.5-billion loan to Belarus.

“And we are working on making it possible that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London can expand its work in this country and the European Investment Bank can finance big projects here,” he said.

Belarus is invited to participate in the Eastern Partnership program from the moment it is launched in Prague on May 7, he said.