The EU in April approved a ban on entry to the EU against 31 Belarusian officials, after presidential elections in the country in March were declared fraudulent by international observers and opposition leaders. The EU also decided in May to freeze the accounts of President Alexander Lukashenko, dubbed "Europe's last dictator" by Washington.
"I think it's necessary to work with elements of civil society in Belarus, non-governmental organizations and at the same time continue develop relations with the country's government," Borys Tarasyuk told journalists.
The minister said contacts between the governments of Ukraine and Belarus were ongoing and trade was increasing. He added that the two presidents were to have had a meeting in April but it was canceled due to reasons that had not hinged on the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
