BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

06/11/2008

Belarus has practical interest in new avenues of cooperation with European Union

Suggested by the European Commission, the new cooperation avenues represent obvious practical interests for Belarus, Press Secretary of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry Andrei Popov told media on November 6 as he commented on results of the recent talks held in Minsk when a delegation of the European Commission visited Belarus, reported Belta.

Among other things the European Commission suggested cooperation in the area of financial institutions, food security, standardisation and quality of products. "We are in favour of developing the cooperation," said the spokesman of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry. "We are interested in moving closer to the European space, including the maximum affinity to existing European economic, ecological and other standards". The official expressed hope that Europe may use its potential of consultative and technical aid for Belarus. "We are open to this cooperation," he added.

Yet Andrei Popov stated mutual respect for each other's interests is the fundamental principle of interaction between Belarus and the European Union. Belarus believes this kind of cooperation fits interests of the European Union. "We beg nothing from anyone and can offer cooperation to the European Union in the areas the European Union may benefit a lot," said Andrei Popov. In his words, Belarus-held consultations with European colleagues touch upon a wide range of issues. "We don't avoid issues put forward by the European colleagues," remarked the Foreign Ministry spokesman. In his opinion, the issues should be handled in a way to achieve results people could feel.

Andrei Popov told media, roadmap issues are not being discussed with European partners. The sides continue consultations about a wide range of issues of mutual interest, namely trade and economic cooperation, customs, transit infrastructure, energy security and others. "Cooperation is now reaching the practical dimension, the level of contacts between experts. Naturally we have a positive attitude to it and hope to achieve concrete results," concluded the spokesman.

Source:

http://news.trendaz.com/index.shtml?show=news&newsid=1338862&lang=EN

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