Updated at 17:53,27-03-2024

“We need a prosperous neighbor“. EU vows vo back Belarus in reforms

BelarusFeed

“We need a prosperous neighbor“. EU vows vo back Belarus in reforms
Photo: TUT.BY
The European Union is interested in macroeconomic stability in Belarus, because it wants to have an independent and prosperous neighbor.

The statement was made by the head of the EU Delegation in Belarus Andrea Wiktorin at the opening of Kastryčnicky Ekanamičny Forum event in Minsk.

Wiktorin reminded that last year Belarus entered into a recession for the first time.

“Structural weakness is caused by the dominance of large inefficient state enterprises”, she believes.

According to the diplomat, the EU is worried about macroeconomic stability, growth and reforms in Belarus, because it is a close neighbor and one of the country’s largest trade partners.

“We need a prosperous and independent neighbor to secure stability in the region, an uninterrupted and safe transit of passengers and cargo through Belarus, fair and clear conditions for our investors”, Andrea Wiktorin noted.

She added that the EU is preparing a new program to support small and medium business in Belarus, and expressed hope that the negotiations on Belarus’ accession to WTO would be resumed this year.

“No matter how we call the necessary changes – reforms, transformation, modernization, improvement, adaptation – on behalf of the European Union, I can promise that Belarus will not be alone on this path”, the diplomat concluded.