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BUDAPEST, 27 November (BelTA) – Belarus has an interest in joint tourism projects with Europe and China, Belarusian Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov noted at the Central Eastern European Countries and China (CEEC-China 16+1) Summit of heads of government in Budapest on 27 November, BelTA informs.

Andrei Kobyakov put forward an initiative on creating a tourism corridor that would connect sixteen Central and Eastern European countries and China via Belarus. The EU and China declared 2018 the Year of Tourism, Belarus and China have reached a similar agreement which is yet to be implemented. “Belarus is fully open to close contacts in tourism. This is the basis for cooperation in other fields: science, education, humanitarian collaboration, youth policy, and environmental protection,” the prime minister remarked.

Belarus has already taken a number of measures to attract foreign tourists: the country has been facilitating its visa requirements and building up new tourist infrastructure. The hospitality of Belarusians, their respect for people of different religions, ethnic groups, and cultures are well-known outside the country.

“I hope that Belarus’ capacities and potential will be taken into account as further plans and projects are developed in the 16+1 format ,” Andrei Kobyakov summarized.

The 16+1 format was authored by China. It is designed to intensify cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Czechia, and Estonia) in investment, transport, finance, science, education, and culture. The first 16+1 summit was held in Warsaw, Poland in 2012.