Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said on Tuesday that Belarus and Austria are in favor of building bridges in Europe, not new dividing lines.

Belarus and Austria aim to reduce confrontation and strengthen stability in Europe and the world, and the two countries proceed from the philosophy of building bridges, not new dividing lines in Europe, Makei told local media after the meeting with his Austrian counterpart Karin Kneissl.

Makei noted that Austria firmly maintains its status as one of Belarus' main investment partners and plays an important role in the modernization of several sectors of the Belarusian economy.

Kneissl, Austria's federal minister for Europe, integration, and foreign affairs, stressed the importance of meetings and negotiations in Minsk as well as the further development of dialogue between Austria and Belarus.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed prospects for the development of bilateral relations in various fields, the interaction of the two countries in international organizations, and the cooperation between Belarus and the European Union.