Events

MINSK, 15 October (BelTA) – Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei took part in the 9th Eastern Partnership (EaP) ministerial meeting at the invitation of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn. The meeting brought together EU foreign ministers and their counterparts from the six Eastern Partnership countries, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Participants of the meeting reviewed progress in implementing “20 Deliverables for 2020” arising from the Brussels Summit declaration of November 2017 and shared views on the topical issues of the international agenda, including the situation in Eastern Europe. They also discussed events to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Eastern Partnership in 2019. Speaking at the plenary session Vladimir Makei voiced Belarus’ commitment to preserving and promoting the Eastern Partnership as an inclusive, pragmatic and non-confrontational initiative. He also emphasized the need for prompt delivery of the agreements and presented Belarus’ approaches to implementing joint projects in vital economic sectors.

Vladimir Makei held a bilateral meeting with Johannes Hahn to review progress in working out partnership priorities for Belarus and the EU for 2018-2020. They also discussed agreements on easing visa regulations and readmission, the schedule of high-level visits and cooperation with the European Parliament.

On the sidelines of the event, Vladimir Makei held a bilateral meeting with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto. The ministers welcomed progress in promoting the political dialogue and ministerial contacts and pointed to the high level of bilateral cooperation in economy, humanitarian field and other areas. They emphasized the importance of consistent work of the intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation that will hold its next meeting in Minsk in early November. The parties also discussed cooperation within the framework of international organizations and the Belarus-EU dialogue.

Vladimir Makei met with Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney to discuss ways to expand Belarus-Ireland political, trade and economic relations, cooperation between Belarus and the European Union, as well as contacts within the framework of international organizations. Vladimir Makei pointed to extensive support Ireland offered Belarus in mitigating the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. The parties reaffirmed commitment to facilitating contacts between the business communities of the two countries.