Belarus PM meets EU Commissioner in Minsk

Prime Minister Siarhei Rumas of Belarus today met with EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn. During the meeting, they focused on trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and the European Union. The press office of Belarusian government reports that Belarus' exports to the EU has grown 43% over the past eight months and Mr Rumas considers it a good result.

"We expect there will be a more lively investment cooperation after the launch of the European Investment Bank projects," said the Prime Minister.

Mr Rumas positively noted about the start on 23 October 2018 together with the European Union of a project to tackle illegal migration worth of 7 million euros.

The Prime Minister also welcomed Belarus' inclusion into the list of beneficiary countries of the European Union's program to raise the effeciency of government bodies. He also stressed that Belarus paid a great importance to the participation in the Eastern Partnership program.

"We are convinced that this program must work for the sake of our region's sustainable economic development and contrinute to the elimination of the separation lines. Next year, this initiative will make its 10th anniversary. I reckon we need to increase its ability to yield concrete economic results. In this respect, it remains topical for Belarus to conclude an agreement between Belarus and the European Union, " Mr Rumas said.