BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

20/02/2008

Relations between Belarus, EU to improve after opening of EC Office in Minsk

MINSK. Feb 20 (Interfax) - Lithuanian Ambassador to Belarus Edminas Bagdonas believes that Minsk can expect an intensification of dialogue with the EU after the signing of an agreement paving the way for the opening of a representative office of the European Commission and the early release of jailed Belarusian opposition activists.

"I think that steps in response will be made," he told Interfax.

"The fact itself of opening the European Commission's representative office is very good. It was one of the conditions for a possible dialogue," he said.

The official said he was surprised the issue took such a long time for consideration. "I do not understand why the opening of the office of the European Commission took so long. I have been here for a year, and they have been talking about it for the whole year. It seems to me that such a procedure would take a day in my country," he said.

Source:

http://www.interfax.com/3/367204/news.aspx

Google