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Minsk upbeat on boosting ties with EU — foreign minister

Belarus is optimistic on developing its ties with the EU and is looking forward to ironing out the visa issue, the top diplomat says
Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei  AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei
© AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

MINSK, March 1. /TASS/. Belarus is optimistic on developing its ties with the EU and is looking forward to ironing out the visa issue, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei told reporters on Wednesday

"I’m optimistic about improving our relationship with the EU, we are undertaking efforts to simplify the visa process," Minsk’s top diplomat commented, adding that he couldn’t say that "there are no difficulties."

"Nevertheless, we have a problem that we should discuss and we are going over it with our European partners," the diplomat added.

According to him, around a month ago the Belarusian delegation came to Brussels on an official visit, where the issue of streamlining the visa regime between Belarus and the EU were discussed. "Unfortunately, there are some problems that we can’t ignore, especially given the current situation with the massive inflow of migrants into Europe. So, we must largely concentrate on those challenges and threats that could have a negative impact on Belarus," Makei explained.