Andrius Kubilius: No surprise that Belarus refused to sign summit declaration in Riga

Interests of those who identify themselves with Russia and those who want to join the EU differ.

“I am not surprised that the authorities of Armenia and Belarus refused to sign the declaration [of the Eastern Partnership summit] that contains a paragraph about the occupation of Crimea,” former prime minister of Lithuania Andrius Kubilius said when leaving the meeting of the leaders of the European People's Party in Riga on May 21.

BelaPAN reports that Kubilius said, answering the question if the refusal of Belarus and Armenia to sign the declaration had been discussed at the meeting that the matter had been examined in brief. It is clear that the interests of those who identify themselves with the Customs Union and the European Union are different, he explained.

Belarus and Armenia didn't sign the final declaration of the Eastern Partnership summit, because it contained a phrase about the occupation of Crimea.

Belarus is represented at the EaP summit by foreign minister Uladzimir Makei.