Foreign ministry notes certain progress in visa facilitation talks with EU

Certain progress was reached at the second round of talks on visa facilitation and readmission agreements between Belarus and the European Union, Dzmitry Mironchyk, spokesman for the Belarusian foreign ministry, told reporters in Minsk on Thursday.

The negotiations took place in Brussels on November 24 and 25, he said.

"Consultations between experts are now underway. This is a technical stage, which is almost out of the public eye. In Brussels we reviewed issues point by point and considered proposals made by the other side, made certain progress," he said.

The first round of talks was held in Minsk this past June. At the meeting, Belarusian officials made a number of proposals concerning the draft text of the agreements, which would simplify visa formalities and mutual travel in general, Mr. Mironchyk said last week. "The Belarusian delegation hopes to receive a reaction to the proposals in the course of the consultations in Brussels," he added.

The next round of talks is expected to take place in Minsk in early 2015.