The European Union (EU) was delighted at a deal with Belarus under which the European Commission will have a permanent delegation in the Belarusian capital, Minsk.
A memorandum of understanding on this arrangement was signed on Friday.
"Today is an important day for Belarus and for the commission. I am delighted that, following this signature, the commission can now proceed to open its delegation in Minsk," said EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner in a statement.
"This is a much awaited development. I sincerely hope that the presence of a commission delegation in Minsk will help create the conditions in which our relationship can grow," she said.
The commissioner said the EU is ready to improve relations with Minsk provided that "additional serious steps are taken in Belarus toward democratization."
She also urged the release of opposition leader Alexander Kozulin.
Also on Friday, Belarus recalled its ambassador in Washington and urged the U.S. ambassador to Belarus to leave the country. But Washington defied and said its ambassador would stay.
Both the United States and the EU have accused the Belarusian authorities of human rights violations.
Source: Xinhua
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