President holds bilateral meetings with Presidents of Austria and Germany

1 июля 2018

The events that took place on Friday in Minsk will also stay in political history. For example, the fact that Alexander van der Bellen became the first President of Austria to visit our country since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

By the way, Austria is in the first place among Western investors in Belarus. The country produces an absolute share of its GDP abroad, because it is interested in the presence of companies around the world, one of the key points is Belarus. In addition, since yesterday, Austria for the next six months officially became the EU Chairman.

During the meeting with his namesake, Alexander Van der Bellen (and he, by the way, has Russian roots), Alexander Lukashenko announced his forthcoming visit to Austria and invited his colleague to come to Minsk next year to open the second European Games.

If Austria is "number 1" for investment in Belarus, Germany is in first place among European partners in trade. The trade turnover for the past year almost reached three billion dollars. Lately political contacts have also intensified. By the way, in 2016, Berlin spoke in support of the decision of the EU Council to abolish most sanctions against Belarus.

The President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Minsk twice for negotiations on Ukraine, as a foreign minister.

Presidents of Austria and Germany will be remember this visit to Minsk by gifts from Alexander Lukashenko. Souvenir coins, Belarusian flax and new chocolate under the President's brand will leave for Vienna and Berlin.