Jacek Czaputowicz To Belarusians: European Union Is Open

Polish Foreign Minister said that the Belarusians should determine the political future of their country.

In Georgian Batumi, Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz took part in an international conference dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership - the program of cooperation between the European Union and Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus, Polskie Radio reports.

In the context of Moscow's pressure on Minsk on further integration, Jacek Czaputowicz assured that Poland supports Belarus in maintaining its independence: "We support the Belarusian society and the Belarusian state in maintaining its independence. However, the Belarusians themselves must determine the political future of this country. In any case, the European Union is open, it offers its assistance and support, shares its system of values, and it may be a signal for the Belarusian society as to which direction to follow".

Jacek Czaputowicz believes that the countries of the Eastern Partnership can be divided into two groups: "Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova are more advanced, and Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan have slightly different aspirations. There are discussions on whether to give preference to the first three or to maintain a consistent policy with regard to all of the Eastern Partnership countries".

The Polish Foreign Minister also discussed the latest developments in Georgia. He met with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani and Chairman of the opposition party "United National Movement" Grigol Vashadze. Since June, there have been continuing protests in Georgia after the scandalous behavior of Russian deputy Sergei Gavrilov in the Parliament in Tbilisi. There has been strain in relations with Russia since then.