"In view of the great number of sensitive issues that had to be dealt with in the context of the presidential elections in Belarus, the Latvian Embassy in Minsk and in particular the Ambassador, H.E. Mrs Maira Mora, were faced with a heavy workload and many difficult challenges. The highly professional, efficient and courageous way in which the task of local Presidency has been performed assisted us greatly in fulfilling our obligations and duties as EU Presidency," wrote the Austrian foreign minister.

Austria was the presiding country of the EU for the first six months of this year, and does not have diplomatic representation in Minsk. Austria thus invited the Latvian embassy to take on the responsibilities of the presiding country there.

Latvia' s EU Presidency in Belarus was the first Latvian EU presidency in any country. The second half of this year has Finland as the EU presiding country, and the EU presidential responsibilities in Belarus will be executed by the German Embassy.

Sources: MFA, news agency LETA (shortened version)

Keywords: BELARUS    EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY

Street sign in the capital city of Belarus, Minsk © EML (c)