Problems in Belarus-EU relations solvable - Lukashenko

MINSK - Problems in Belarus-EU relations are not chronic, they are solvable, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko told European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Gunther Oettinger at their meeting in Minsk on Monday.

"I am pleased to meet with you here today and to discuss the problems that might exist in our relations. The word "might" does not seem to be suitable. We have always had problems, and they will probably never cease. Yet the recent period showed that none of our problems is chronic, and that all problems are solvable," the Belarusian state-run media quoted Lukashenko as saying.

Oettinger is paying a working visit to Belarus on February 17 and 18. He is due to meet with Prime Minister Sergei Rumas, Finance Minister Maxim Yermolovich, and Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Kravchenko.

The meetings will address topical aspects of the political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and the EU, as well as the interaction in the financial and customs fields.