Head of the Information department – Press Secretary of the MFA Andrei Savinykh replies to a journalist's question about the cooperation of Belarus within the framework of the “Eastern Partnership”

Polskie Radio: How interesting is the project of the “Eastern Partnership” for Belarus? In what areas does Belarus see the greatest interest?

A.V. Savinykh: Belarus perceived the idea of creation of this partnership in a very positive and constructive manner. The principles on which it was planned to create this program appealed to us — the principles of mutual interest, constructive dialogue and equal inclusion of all participants in the elaboration of program activities. We took note with great interest of the prospects for subregional cooperation in the sphere of management of trade flows, borders, energy cooperation.

The Republic of Belarus has introduced a number of rather interesting and constructive initiatives, including those on more active participation of private sector, namely the establishment of a business forum for business circles of the Eastern Partnership countries.

Nevertheless, today we see that there is politicization, departure from the previously announced principles, unreasonable requirements are put forward and the universality of the approaches of this program are questioned.
We are convinced that these tendencies are harmful to the Eastern Partnership as a serious sub-regional initiative.
Belarus hopes and expects the stakeholders to be able to find a way out of this situation.

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