Lukashenka seeks 'closer political dialogue with EU'

Belarus is ready to engage in closer political dialogue with the European Union, Belarus President Aliaksandr Lukashenka said on Monday as he met with Head of the EU Delegation to Belarus Andrea Wiktorin, reports BELTA.

"Today there are no obstacles to closer dialogue not only on economic but also political matters. Belarus is ready for this. Let us move forward in this direction, without waiting for any kind of event: be it parliamentary or presidential elections. I think our relations are more important than any political campaigns in Belarus or in your countries,” Lukashenka said.

The head of state highlighted Andrea Wiktorin's great contribution to the development of relations between Belarus and the European Union. He also expressed gratitude for the financial support that the EU provides to the projects in Belarus, including those to develop infrastructure.

Andrea Wiktorin, on her part, said that over the past few years Belarus and the European Union have been able to build a relationship of trust. “We engage in an open dialogue on political themes, economic issues and also on specific, individual matters such as trade, customs, and so on,” she said.

Andrea Wiktorin, the current head of the EU Delegation to Belarus, has been nominated as head of the EU Delegation to Armenia. The designated new Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Belarus is German diplomat Dirk Schuebel who currently heads the EEAS Russia Division.