Belarus ready for dialogue with Europe - deputy FM

MINSK. May 25 (Interfax) - Belarus is ready for dialogue with Europe and believes there are plenty of issues to be discussed, Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Sekreta said on the First News Channel.

"I believe rather interesting discussions [with EU member states] await us. There are things to discuss. We are ready for that. This is the most important thing. We have a wide range of issues that have either been paused or our partners have yet to respond to. We are pro-dialogue," Sekreta said.

The statement followed a phone call Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had with French President Emmanuel Macron at the French initiative on Sunday.

The phone call demonstrates a growing interest in normal contacts and communication, which have been suspended in the recent years, Sekreta said.

"Such calls are not accidental. Indeed, there is a growing interest in the role and place of Belarus in Europe. This is the need for dialogue manifested in such manner," he said.

The Lukashenko-Macron call was rather long and addressed the regional agenda, regional security, and Belarus' interaction with the European Union, including France, Sekreta said.

There are numerous communication formats, and communication between the heads of state is completely normal, he said. "This proves there is interest, there are issues that need to be discussed. After that, naturally, tasks are given to the foreign ministries and other agencies and bodies that interact with each other," Sekreta said.

"I'd like to emphasize that the main positive result of this call is the increased interest in normal, absolutely civilized contacts, communication that has not happened for the past few years. I am confident there will be more contacts of the kind. Both through diplomatic channels and between other agencies," he said.