Opinions & Interviews

“We see certain shifts in our bilateral relations. They are getting more concrete outlines. It is true not only for the political dialogue but for the economic sphere as well,” said Vladimir Senko.

The MP also drew attention to cooperation of Belarusian parliamentarians with their colleagues from France within the framework of working groups. A Belarus-France friendship group was created in the French parliament in October 1993. The group is now led by Gerald Darmanin. Vladimir Senko is the head of the relevant working group in the Belarusian parliament.

In turn, Director of the Department for Continental Europe of the French Foreign Ministry Eric Fournier remarked that positive shifts had emerged in Belarusian-French relations since his visit to Minsk two years before. “Our contacts, mutual exchanges have been intensifying in the last few months,” he said. The diplomat thanked Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to France Pavel Latushko for his efforts to step up contacts and outstanding work. “It is true not only with regard to politics, because many in the Paris administration now know Pavel Latushko. It is also true with regard to the social and cultural spheres,” he said.

Eric Fournier said he believes that France lacks information regarding what is going on in Belarus. “But the situation is getting better thanks to the ongoing program of cultural events, the meetings arranged by the French Foreign Ministry, the consultations held at a higher level. I think the result of this precise and definite approach to the development of our bilateral relations is already visible,” added Eric Fournier.