Events

MINSK, 30 January (BelTA) – Belarus and the European Commission (EC) have embarked on talks to discuss the agreements on easing visa procedures and on readmission. The matter was top on the agenda of the working trip of Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Yelena Kupchina to Brussels on 29-30 January, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

“The highlight of the visit was the official start of the talks between the Republic of Belarus and the European Commission on the agreements on easing visa regulations and on readmission,” the press service informed.

The modality of the talks that will be held in Minsk in March this year was discussed at the meeting with Director General for Home Affairs of the European Commission Stefano Manservisi.

Yelena Kupchina also met with European Union Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule and the European External Action Service (EEAS) Director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia Regional Cooperation and OSCE Countries Gunnar Wiegand to discuss prospects of Belarus-EU dialogue and practical cooperation, including Belarus’ participation in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) initiative and technical cooperation. “The parties agreed to hold consultations on the modernization with a view to finding the best form of cooperation between the Government of Belarus and the European Union in line with Paragraph 29 of the final declaration of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius,” the press service informed.

The relations between Belarus and the European Parliament were discussed with Vice-President of the European Parliament Jacek Protasiewicz and Head of the European Parliament delegation for relations with Belarus Filip Kaczmarek.