Makei in Brussels: We are satisfied with Eastern Partnership membership

The Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs did not answer journalists’ question about political prisoners.

Journalists asked Uladizmir Makei whether he would attend the Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius. He could not answer the question: "The European Union will have to decide it. We have discussed the summit in Vilnius, talked about the Declaration that will be adopted and made a few suggestions about it. We think that there should be no discrimination; all partners should be getting the same attitude. We will need to make a precise list of projects during the summit and it will help improve the image of the Eastern Partnership on the EU member states and in the EaP member states. I think that we should pay more attention to business. These were our suggestions."

Uladzimir Makei diplomatically ignored the question about political prisoners at the meeting in Brussels: "We discussed all the issues that were essential for our cooperation with the European Union."

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius described his impressions after the meeting with Uladzimir Makei: "The Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs made a speech. There is always room for criticism but I have noticed a constructive approach and the desire to cooperate, negotiate and use our democratic experience in comparison with the previous statements and presentations. There is also an understanding of the importance of the business forum that will take place during the EaP summit in Vilnius. I can see some constructive changes."

Uladzimir Makei was invited to the meeting in Brussels last week.

This visit will take place upon the invitation of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained.

It was planned that the participants would exchange views on the state and prospects of cooperation in the framework of the "Eastern Partnership" and will also discuss preparation for the third summit in Vilnius on November 28-29.

Uladzimir Makei planned meeting with the leaders of the European structures, the heads of delegations of a number of countries - members and partners of the EU.

The Belarusian Foreign Minister got an opportunity to visit the EU only a month ago. Prior to that, he was in the so-called "black list" of Belarusian officials banned from entering the European Union.