Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius: a more intensive dialogue between the EU and Belarus is a chance for all of us
In his address at the Lithuanian-Belarusian Business Forum “Belarus and Baltic States: new prospects for cooperation”, Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has pointed out that Lithuania sees Belarus as creating its future in Europe, and added that the EU-Belarus dialogue which has been lately gaining momentum is an opportunity for all of us.
Recalling the common historic experience, the Prime Minister has noted that the statehood of both Lithuania and Belarus builds upon the rich European historic heritage as well as multicultural and multiconfessional traditions. “After the challenging centuries, Belarus and Lithuania again have become free and independent countries. The Lithuanian people decided to take the road of the Euro- Atlantic integration and reunite with the European family of nations. Today, we can confirm that these steps were appropriate. The Euro-Atlantic enlargement towards the East has provided us with a possibility of expanding our security and stability space across the region, including Belarus, which we see creating its future in no longer divided Europe”, said the Lithuanian Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has underlined the importance of ever-growing dialogue between Belarus and the EU. I am convinced that the EU-Belarus dialogue which has currently been gaining momentum gives us all a chance, which is also a challenge for us as to how we are going to use it. The Belarusian authority took a few steps putting in place somewhat better preconditions for the civic society, which enabled the EU to open up a dialogue with Belarus. A full-fledged partnership with the European Union, which is based on the principles of the rule of law, democratic multi-partisan political systems, guaranteed rights for civic expression and freedom of the press, will become feasible once these principles and values become intrinsic for our neighbouring country. A real partnership is about the actual mutual commitment between the two parties or two partners”, continued Andrius Kubilius.
According to the Prime Minister, an active Belarus’s involvement in the Eastern Partnership Programme creates the preconditions for business to expect business and investment environment that would come closer to the EU standards in this country. In case of need, Lithuania is ready to share its experience, help harmonise legal environment by creating conditions to attract business and investment. Naturally, with a view to expanding the area of security and cooperation in the framework of partnership, we must develop projects not only in the fields of infrastructure, economy, and quality standards, but also in the areas of democratisation and human relations development. Eastern Partnership is a chance for the entire Belarusian society to join the European consolidation process.