Events

MINSK, 23 May (BelTA) – Dialogue between the European Union and Eurasian Economic Union will enhance confidence and will make the fight for spheres of influence in Eastern Europe unnecessary, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at the international forum “Eastern Europe: In Search of Security for All” in the Belarusian capital on 23 May, BelTA has learned.

“Economic rivalry and trade conflicts are the classic reasons for the tensions international relations. We clearly see this today. The examples are here, before our eyes. This is why Belarus is an active proponent of dialogue between the Eurasian and European integration unions as a means of building confidence and eliminating the struggle for spheres of influence in Eastern Europe,” Vladimir Makei noted.

According to the minister, progress in this direction would help dispel the myth of the incompatibility of the European and Eurasian integration models.

“The establishment of a peaceful, unified and interconnected economic space from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Lisbon to Vladivostok to Shanghai will bring great dividends to both unions, both formats and also to the countries that are not their members. It is clear that we cannot expect a miracle. No one has ready-made formulas or ready-to-go projects. What is important is the progressive, gradual development of cooperation,” the minister stressed.

Similarly, the dialogue between military organizations, NATO and the CSTO, would help reduce tensions on the continent, Vladimir Makei noted. “After all, we do not have another reality, nor other security tools. If you cannot cancel or change anything, it means you should work with what you have rather than create imaginary enemies,” he added.