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Czech envoy visiting Minsk to help end "stalemate" in Belarus-EU relations

A Czech envoy said that the purpose of his visit to Minsk was to help end a stalemate in relations between Belarus and the European Union.

"Relations between Belarus and the European Union have been in a stalemate of sorts. We are not moving forward. Czech diplomats are now trying to develop the relations that are not connected with high-level politics. I have come to speak about opportunities for cooperation in the spheres of science, culture, education," Ambassador Petr Mares, who is the Czech foreign ministry's special envoy for Eastern Partnership, told reporters in Minsk on Tuesday.

Mr. Mares said that he had held a meeting with education ministry officials to discuss the possibility of joint projects between EU and Belarusian universities that would not require prior approval from the Belarusian authorities. "We know that such contacts are important. I was told that such contacts are possible even without prior approval from the education ministry. We'll wait and see whether or not this is window dressing."

"We would like as many young Belarusian people as possible to come to the European Union to study and communicate with people. We are certain that this is more important than anything else, even more important than large-scale transport projects," Mr. Mares said. //BelaPAN