The European Union is ready to support Belarus in reforming its economy, Head of the EU Delegation to Belarus Andrea Wiktorin said.
“We often meet with representatives of the Belarusian authorities at various meetings, we use the same words, but put different meanings into them. When we talk about reform, it turns out that the EU’s interpretation of reforms often differs from that of Minsk,” the top official said at Kastryčnicki Economic Forum that is currently being held in Minsk.
According to her, one can give a positive assessment of Belarus’ economic performance of recent years. However, it is the ‘depth of reforms’ that will determine the country’s full-featured economic growth, the diplomat noted.
“We are still considering the reform of the public sector to be one of the most important issues on the agenda. It means that modernization is needed. [Belarus] also should take a course on privatization to increase productivity and efficiency and attract more investment,” Andrea Wiktorin said.
In her opinion, the Belarusian authorities should grant more opportunities to the private sector and small businesses, improve investment climate, develop the digital economy.
Governance in Belarus should be guided by the basic principle: the state administration does not reign, but provides services to the public and businesses. “EU citizens are accustomed to the fact that it is the administration that works for people, not the other way around,” she stressed.
“We continue to seek opportunities for the dialogue. We are ready to support Belarus with the help of the structural reforms fund and share the experience of reforms,” Head of the EU Delegation to Belarus added.
ІІ, belsat.eu
