MINSK, 14 March (BelTA) – Germany supports Belarus in its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at Germany's Federal Foreign Office, said at the forum held in Minsk on 14 March to mark 25 years of the public and diplomatic relations between Belarus and Germany, BelTA has learned.

“Open borders and fair free trade are the best instruments of globalization. There is no need in new walls, new forms of isolation. We are confident in this. The same is true about trade. I would be happy if Belarus made part of the WTO. We need this economic cooperation, fairness in trade, and the WTO is a powerful instrument here,” Michael Roth said.

The German Minister of State for Europe emphasized the importance of political contacts for further development of dialogue between Belarus and Germany. “Personal contacts are also crucial for reliable and trustworthy relations, with the youth playing the central role in the matter. I am looking forward to meeting with Belarusian students, young people as we have been recently talking much about our common future in Europe,” he said.

According to Michael Roth, Germany is ready to continue cooperating with Belarus. “We are ready not only to continue but also strengthen our ties. We had an open and warm conversation on the matter with Belarus' Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei yesterday,” he said.