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Opinions & Interviews

13 Sep 2014

Frattini: EU should strengthen cooperation with Belarus

Frattini: EU should strengthen cooperation with Belarus

MINSK, 15 September (BelTA) - The European Union should strengthen the cooperation with Belarus, Franco Frattini, the President of the Italian Society for International Organization (SIOI), former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, told reporters on 13 September, BelTA has learned.

"I believe that the European Union should strengthen its interaction with Belarus and review the policy of sanctions which it used previously.

Such cooperation may be carried out on two fronts. First, it is the Eastern Partnership initiative where Belarus is one of the participating countries. The second area is the improvement of the bilateral relations between the EU and Belarus,” said Franco Frattini.

"Given the warming up of the relations between the two parties there is a need to consider the negotiations on facilitation of the visa regime for citizens of Belarus. The successful outcome of these negotiations will benefit, first of all, Belarusian citizens,” said Franco Frattini.

"I would to give credit to Belarus’ efforts to improve security in Europe. Belarus defends the borders against illegal migration from the East. We expect that Belarus will continue to defend the common borders with the European Union and to tackle the illegal migration and related problems such as trafficking in human beings,” said the Italian guest.

“The first time I visited Minsk was four years ago during a government visit to Belarus. Even then, Minsk made a good impression on me because I saw a huge growth potential and desire. Being aware of the turbulent events in neighboring countries, Ukraine, I am pleased to see the climate of stability and calm in your city. It was not by chance that the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine chose Minsk as a platform for negotiations. Thanks to the mediation of the President of Belarus, these negotiations were successful. The stability and order is your business card which impresses tourists from other countries,” said Franco Frattini.

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