Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 1 February (BelTA) – Sanctions are not an effective tool to improve relations between Belarus and the EU, Austrian Ambassador to Belarus Bernd Alexander Bayerl said in an interview with Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA has learned.

"Austria welcomes the recent suspension of the sanctions against Belarus. We believe that sanctions are not an effective tool to improve significantly the relations between Belarus and the EU. I have very good impressions about the country. I feel at home here, in Central Europe as the mentality is similar. People are very similar to us in the manner of conduct. They just speak a different language,” he said.

The Ambassador of Austria stressed that the investment in the Austrian Embassy in Belarus is rational. "Belarus has assumed great importance, and we want to be represented here. From an economic point of view, this country is a very important partner for us. The events of the past two years have contributed to the fact that Belarus is perceived very well now. Here I am talking about the mediation in the Ukrainian issue,” he explained.

Bernd Alexander Bayerl also noted that the opening of the embassy is a necessary signal at the right time. "Despite the crisis, which Belarus has been dealing with recently, the country is the market for Austrian investors that gives access to other markets, in particular, the Eurasian Economic Union. We are interested in this country because it is governed well: the structure functions well, partners are reliable, corruption is low. These are important factors for the economy,” he stated.