Belarus won’t be returned EU preferences

A deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Yeudachenka informed that Belarus would not be able to return to the Generalized System of Preferences of the European Union before 2009.

“Even under the condition that all the EU countries would agree to Belarus’ returning preferences to Belarus, time would be needed. According to most flattering forecasts, it is not possible before 2009,” Andrei Yeudachenka said.

This problem was brought up at the session of the business Council Belarus-EU in Minsk. “Lawyers who are engaged in such problems were present at the meeting. We are waiting for certain recommendations from them,” the deputy Minister said.

The deputy Foreign Minister reminded that the European Commission annulled the Generalized System of Preferences to Belarus in 2007. “It’s a long question with long history,” Andrei Yeudachenka believes. “The European Union has gone to even greater lengths than the International Labour Organization. It is natural that we are trying to solve this question with the European structures”.

Yesterday in Minsk European lawyers engaged in this topic were taking part in the talks of the business council Belarus-EU. “We wanted to receive recommendations from them in which way it should be done better,” the deputy minister said. In this connection a step-to-step strategy of returning Belarus into the general preference system of the EU could be used there. Andrei Yeudachenka stressed that Belarus had never stopped the dialogue with the ILO. As for the European Commission, this organization had taken far-reaching decisions touching upon economic interests of Belarus. “That is why today we are trying to do everything to return our trade relations to previous positions,” the deputy minister said.