News & Events in Belarus

Belarus, Lithuania to stay committed to economic, political rapprochement

MINSK, 17 September (BelTA) – Belarus and Lithuania confirmed their mutual interest in the further development of all-round bilateral cooperation and the implementation of the potential of the two countries. Several agreements on cooperation were signed between the ministries of Belarus and Lithuania, BelTA learnt from the presidential press service.

These are the results of the negotiations held by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite on 16 September.

The Belarusian leader paid a working visit to Lithuania on 16 September and had a very crowded agenda. Alexander Lukashenko held talks with his Lithuanian counterpart and then spoke at the Belarusian-Lithuanian international economic forum that opened in Vilnius within the framework of the national exhibition of Belarus. The Belarusian head of state also gave an interview to the Russian-language newspaper Litovsky Kurier and spoke to the Belarusian and foreign reporters.

Alexander Lukashenko named the negotiations held with his Lithuanian counterpart as constructive, open and fair. The sides were able to put forward their viewpoints on the most important issues. The President believes Belarus and Lithuania have no moot points in the relations.

During the meeting that lasted for more than two hours the two sides discussed the whole range of issues related to the bilateral relations between Belarus and Lithuania, cooperation between Belarus and the European Union including within the European Partnership programme. In particular, the attention was focused on the delivery of energy resources and electric energy, the participation in the Odessa-Brody project, the use of the two states’ transit potential and development of the transport and logistics infrastructure. Belarus offered Lithuania to partake in the implementation of several energy projects.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus and Lithuania have a reliable foundation integrated by the economy. The President assured that Belarus is resolute to implement many economic programmes and overcome various challenges to reach the goal.

The President underlined that he is in favor of an open-hearted policy and had never failed anyone. “We are a sovereign country. We don’t have the obligations you have before the European Union. We have more freedom in making decisions and you can expect us to deliver once we make a deal,” said the Belarusian head of state.

In turn, the Lithuania President remarked that the meeting had touched upon main things regarding the cooperation with Belarus, in particular, cooperation in economy, energy industry, culture as well as possible and future bilateral projects. She underlined that all views regarding political and economic areas had been agreed with all European Union member-states. “This is why we talk as a representative of the European community,” noted Dalia Grybauskaite. Speaking about holding a national expo of Belarus in Lithuania as well as the Belarusian-Lithuanian economic forum, the President of Lithuania said that it would be a good step towards enhancing the economic relations and bringing the two countries closer in politics.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko invited his Lithuanian counterpart Dalia Grybauskaite to return a visit to Belarus.

According to the Belarusian head of state, the President of Lithuania accepted this invitation. She might have to consult Brussels before coming to Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko added.

He underlined that the Belarusians do not have any problems with the Lithuanians, and the bilateral cooperation will only benefit the two nations. 

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