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On August 29, Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) hosted a discussion on the European dialogue with Belarusian society on modernisation. The event officially opened the 6th Rally of Belarusians studying abroad.

Director of the Eastern Neighbourhood Policy Department of the MFA Edminas Bagdonas and Representative of the Delegation of the European Union in Minsk Ramūnas Janušauskas presented the initiative – the European Dialogue on Modernisation with Belarusian Society - that was officially launched in March in Brussels.

 The main objectives of this initiative are to create a vision of modern and democratic Belarus and to clarify what reforms are necessary for the modernisation of Belarus, to evaluate further potential for the development of relations with the EU in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and Eastern Partnership as well as to share the experience of the EU and its member states in various areas of modernisation.

The European Dialogue on Modernisation presents an opportunity  for Belarusian experts and representatives of civil society to discuss all necessary economic, political and social reforms, and specific measures for their implementation. The dialogue is conducted in four working groups: political dialogue and reform; reform of the judiciary and people-to-people contacts; economic, social reform and sector policy issues;  trade and market reform.

During the discussion, Bagdonas, Janušauskas and experts from Belarus - economic experts Tatsiana Manionak and Syarhey Chaly - and students discussed prospects of modernisation of Belarus and opportunities to enhance youth entrepreneurship.

U.S. Deputy Chief of the Mission Anne Hall and Deputy Head of the Mission of Ireland in Lithuania Séadhna Rose Mac Hugh also welcomed the students.

The Eastern Europe Studies Centre has organised in Lithuania already the 6th Rally of Belarusian students residing abroad. The students have set up the informal network, known as the United Students of Belarus. This year, the Rally is devoted to the development of entrepreneurial competences of Belarusian youth. Forty students from 10 countries (Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, the U.S.A., Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus) are participating in the Rally.