Belarus considers stronger EU ties

  • 2013-10-24
  • TBT staff, RIGA

Latvian and Belarusian officials have held talks over Belarus’ participation in the Eastern Partnership program, reports BelTA.

Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Guryanov met with Ambassador at Large of the Latvian Foreign Ministry Juris Poikans in Riga to discuss plans.

The sides talked over Belarus’ participation in the Eastern Partnership Initiative and the advancement of the dialogue between Belarusand the European Union as a whole.

The Eastern Partnership initiative, backed by the EU, hopes to create stronger ties with post-Soviet states including Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Moldova, Armeniaand Belarus.

Belarusand Armeniaare currently members of the Russia-backed Eurasion Union program that seeks to create stronger economic ties between post-Soviet countries.

Talks over trade and economic cooperation between the two countries were expressed. It was noted that both Belarusand Latviaare eager to advance cooperation. Measures to step up Belarusian-Latvian interaction in transport and transit matters were considered.

Vilnius hosts the Eastern Partnership Summit on Nov 28-29. It’s believed Ukraineand Moldovawill sign major association agreements with the European Union at the meeting. The news has come under heavy criticism from Russia, who has imposed controversial trade bans on neighboring countries.