Slovak ambassador promises improvement of Belarus-EU relations as Bratislava gears up for EU presidency

Slovakia’s stint at the helm of the European Union will improve relations between Belarus and the 28-nation bloc and bilateral relations between Minsk and Bratislava, Slovak Ambassador Jozef Migas said in Minsk on June 25.

The diplomat welcomed what he said was a “very positive process of changes” coming from Alyaksandr Lukashenka and other top government officials in Belarus, and said that both Minsk and the EU intended to have an honest and equal dialogue for mutual benefit.

“We are feeling how a new context of relations between Brussels and Minsk, as well as of [relations] between Slovakia and Belarus separately is taking shape,” he said.

Mr. Migas announced that a delegation of Slovak officials was scheduled to visit Belarus this fall. The Slovak government is discussing specific projects that it could offer to Belarus in the spheres of technologies, finance, civil society development and visa policy, he said.

Slovakia was among EU states that pushed for the abolition of the EU sanctions targeting Belarusian authorities, said the ambassador. “Now everyone understands that it was the right thing to do. And Belarus has not let us down,” he said.

Mr. Migas recalled that Mr. Lukashenka had expressed hope that Slovakia would continue providing support and help to Belarus. “I can say that our country’s leaders are ready for that,” he said.

Slovakia takes over the rotating EU presidency from the Netherlands on July 1.