We need to understand each other

Still Belarusian and Russian officials need to meet more often. And during the negotiations it is important not to avoid hot-button issues. Otherwise when the position of the country is expressed by shady anonyms instead of officials, it leads to mutual distrust and potential conflicts.

Still Belarusian and Russian officials need to meet more often. And during the negotiations it is important not to avoid hot-button issues. Otherwise when the position of the country is expressed by shady anonyms instead of officials, it leads to mutual distrust and potential conflicts.

In due time Russian community ambiguously apprehended Belarusian intention to take part in EU initiative “Eastern partnership”. Then idle commentators from Moscow got a move on Minsk with blaming it of betrayal of union relations. Belarusian government had to make great efforts to smooth negative attitude among high-ranked Russians towards Belarusian cooperation with Brussels. Note, that amicable with Russia Armenia and Azerbaijan are also among those in European initiative. Strange but Belarus had to prove its innocence.

But fortunately both Minsk and Moscow have understanding of mutual Belarusian and Russian interests. In particular that was proven at the meeting of both heads of ministers of foreign affairs. Belarusian participation in EU program “Eastern Partnership” will not become an obstacle in cooperation of the country within the scopes of CIS, EurAsEC and Customs Union, said the head of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergei Lavrov after the meeting with his Belarusian colleagues. “Our Belarusian friends clearly confirmed that their participation in the projects of “Eastern Partnership” will not do any harm, compete with active participation of Belarus in integration processes on the territory of CIS, including EurAsEC and Customs Union. We see this approach as open and transparent and believe that it is how it will be”, - his words are quoted by information agencies.

Thus we may state that another possible misunderstanding in Belarusian and Russian integration processes has been solved in favor of mutual satisfaction.