BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
29/12/2008
Vilnius might become business gate between Belarus and Europe
Petras Vaida, BC, Vilnius
Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas expects that Belarus will use the given opportunity to go closer to Europe and that Vilnius will not only be the European Capital of Culture in 2009, but also a business gate between Belarus and the rest of Europe.
The head of Lithuanian diplomacy indicated his expectations in an interview to the news agency ELTA before his visit to Minsk.
According to Usackas, an independent, stable and more democratic Belarus is the national interest of Lithuania.
"Belarus is one of our most important neighbors, which has isolated itself from European processes for a long period of time. Now the country is granted a serious opportunity to become a part of the Eastern Partnership Initiative," Usackas told ELTA.
According to the foreign minister, Belarus is important for Lithuania both in a political and economic way.
"It is a market of 10 million consumers. In Belarus, Lithuanians are respected and welcome as the people of Belarus in Lithuania. It means big business prospects. The current EU open-door policy concerning Belarus gives an opportunity for Vilnius to become not only the European Capital of Culture, but also a business gate to the market of Belarus, as well as the gate leading Belarus to Europe," Usackas said.
On Monday, Usackas will meet with the officials of Belarus to discuss the issues of bilateral relations, energy security and economic cooperation as well as the cooperation according to the EU Eastern Partnership Initiative.
Source:
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=8340
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