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Nicaragua’s FM: Belarus might take part in Nicaragua Canal project
MINSK, 19 May (BelTA) – Belarus might participate in the construction of the Nicaragua Canal that can become an alternative to the existing Panama Canal, Nicaragua’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Denis Moncada Colindres told journalists in Minsk, BelTA has learned.
Answering BelTA’s question whether it is theoretically possible that Belarus could contribute to this grand project with its technologies and equipment, the foreign minister said: “During our conversation [with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko] we talked about cooperation in infrastructure. I would like to note that the Nicaraguan Canal and Development Project is running; it has not been put on hold. Therefore, of course, Belarus could also take part in infrastructure projects, including the project you have mentioned.”
In 2012 the National Assembly of Nicaragua approved the project to build the Grand Interoceanic Canal that would connect the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. The new interoceanic canal is projected to be longer, wider and deeper than the Panama Canal (opened in 1920) and to seriously relieve maritime traffic.
According to Denis Moncada Colindres, the meeting with the president of Belarus was fruitful. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to mutual support and solidarity, discussed promising cooperation projects, a possibility to supply equipment, as well as other matters.
“We have discussed the financial aspect of the projects that we plan to implement. First of all, this pertains to technology in agriculture, the supply of equipment for infrastructure projects, cooperation in education, bilateral trade. These are our key points of interest where we would like to align our positions. At the moment, we are discussing the specifics of joint projects that we intend to implement. Our primary goal is to create the necessary conditions, an adequate legal framework to implement these projects and explore other promising avenues of cooperation,” the Nicaraguan foreign minister said.
A reminder, Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested expanding bilateral relations with Nicaragua at the meeting with the foreign minister on 19 May. “We have everything in place today to build good, close relations. Here we count on the legendary leader of Nicaragua, whom we all love and respect in Belarus. I will ask you to convey best regards from the Belarusian people and me personally to Daniel Ortega. We admired his political activities,” the president said.
He assured that Belarus has everything that Nicaragua needs, and even in abundance. “While building our contacts, we need to create a legal framework for bilateral cooperation in the economy. This is a matter of time. I think if we get down to this now, we will be able to develop this legal framework and build deep economic contacts within a year. We are ready for this,” the Belarusian leader noted.
Belarus and Nicaragua are actively cooperating within the framework of international organizations. The bilateral trade is still rather small and is dominated by supplies from Belarus. The legal framework is under development. Work is underway to align key draft agreements that will lay the basis for trade and economic cooperation.
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