Round table on the topic “Advantages and Challenges of Cooperation with the European Union of Neighboring Countries on the Example of Norway and Belarus” was held in Minsk on 26 May 2017. The event was organized by the Institute of Development and Social Market in Belarus and Eastern Europe (IDSM BEE). It was attended by the chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, Mr. Valery Varanetski, member of the Norwegian parliament, Mr. Geir Toskedal, BCD co-chairmen, Mr. Vital Rymasheuski amd Mr. Pavel Sieviarynets, leader of the movement “For Freedom”, Mr. Yury Hubarevich, expert of the IDSM BEE, Ms. Volha Kavalkova, academic director of BISS, Mr. Piotr Rudkouski, as well as a number of experts.

Mr. Rymasheuski stated at the round table that the EU-Belarus relations over the past twenty years could be described with the phrase “lost opportunities”. “There is much talk about the reasons of such situation, but it is important to look ahead. Both sides need to fulfill their obligations.”

The participants expressed their opinions about the need for deepening cooperation between the EU and Belarus and their readiness to work on the development of a Basic Agreement between the EU and Belarus.

As a result of the round table, further activities are being planned to deepen cooperation between Norway and Belarus, as well as to find ways of interaction between civil society and the Belarusian authorities for joint work, to improve interaction among various actors in Belarus and implement reforms within the country.