BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
29/01/2009
Estonia to open an embassy in Belarus
Juhan Tere, BC, Tallinn
Government of Estonia adopted a decision to establish an Estonian embassy in Minsk, writes EPL Online/LETA.
According to minister of foreign affairs Urmas Paet, the Government's decision reflects more openness in the EU policy towards Belarus as well as Estonia"s interest in developing bilateral relations.
"Our interest lies in gradual opening of Belarus to Europe," said Paet. "In increasing co-operation, however, all positions of European Union regarding the need to improve the conditions of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Belarus continue to apply," he emphasised.
Paet added that the existence of an embassy will also make it possible to develop more active economic relations between the two countries. "By now investment terms in Belarus have become more liberal and Estonian enterprises" investments to Belarus have been multiplied in the past few years," explained the minister. Paet noted that as the economic situation will stabilise, exports of Estonian products to Belarus would also have a good potential.
The embassy will start work in the rooms of the current Estonian consulate general.
Estonia has had a consulate in Minsk since 1995, but due to the customs of diplomacy, consulates cannot fulfil all tasks of diplomatic representations.
Source:
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltics_cis/?doc=9231
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