Lubomir Rehak : European rules must be respected :: Charter'97 :: News

"Energy cooperation between Europe and Belarus presently exists only at the expert level. But as far as the summit level is concerned no cooperation is available because all the relations with Belarus have been constrained since 1997. There are the European Union’s proposals on developing of the full-value relations with Belarus. But presently only occasional technical negotiations are held. For the Belarusian authorities to cooperate with the European Union they should respect the European rules .Everything is expressed in the 12 proposals of the European Commission to Belarus. First and foremost for the Belarusian authorities are to behave the way other partners of the European Union do", temporary charge d’ affaires of Slovakia to Belarus Lubomir Rehak declared in his interview with the Charter’97 press center commenting on the declaration of the foreign ministry of the Republic of Belarus on supposed “advancements” in the development of the dialogue between Belarus and the European Union. Since 1 July Slovakia has been performing the function of the local EU chairmanship in Belarus on behalf of Portugal.

There are certain advancements in the development of the dialogue between Belarus and the European Union as well as the European Commission. That was declared by the Belarusian foreign ministry spokesman yesterday at the briefing.

According to him the energy cooperation of Belarus and the European Union has been developing- the expert consultation in this sphere were held. The positive development trend of trade and economic relations between Belarus and the European Union is being observed. “We are open to developing these and other branches of mutually beneficial cooperation with the EU, Andrei Papou said according to the BelTA

He mentioned that at the recent talks of the deputy foreign minister Valery Varanetsky in Brussels the Belarusian side submitted several proposals on cooperation development. “They remain on the agenda”, the foreign ministry spokesman stressed.