The ministers said the move to lift the visa restrictions against most of Belarus's leaders would help to "encourage dialogue" and democratic reforms in the country, which is often referred to as "Europe's last dictatorship".
The decision to impose a travel ban and freeze the assets of 41 leading Belarusian officials was taken in 2006 after the country's presidential elections, which the EU considered in breach of democratic standards.
Ministers yesterday decided to suspend the ban for six months, after which it would be reassessed, while leaving the assets freeze in place. The six-month limit is seen as a concession to the more cautious group headed by the Dutch, which had opposed early lifting of restrictions.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband argued that despite "some pretty clear concerns" about the recent elections, it was "also important that we continue to recognise the steps that have been made," which he termed as "limited in some ways but not insignificant in others".
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana described the agreement as "a very important beginning," announcing that an official EU mission would travel to Minsk "in a matter of weeks," which would be another sign of improving ties.
Ministers also decided to drop most sanctions against the repressive regime in Uzbekistan and to negotiate a free trade accord with Moldova, but did not reach agreement to resume talks on a new partnership agreement with Russia.
Miliband headed a group of countries which said they wanted to see progress in talks on the future of the disputed Georgian provinces South Ossetia and Abkhazia before pressing ahead with closer ties.
