Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 28 March (BelTA) – Belarus may take an active part in the modernization of the Ecuadorian economy, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko said as he met with President of the National Assembly of Ecuador Gabriela Rivadeneira Burbano on 28 March, BelTA has learnt.

“For example, we could supply mining equipment,” said Vladimir Andreichenko. He also outlined other cooperation areas such as the sales of agricultural vehicles, the participation in the construction of power grids. The Speaker stressed that the trade between Belarus and Ecuador was $77 million in 2015, which is far below the potential of the two countries. The two states are able to increase these figures. The Chairman of the House of Representatives added that Ecuador’s development strategy is based on innovations, high technology and investment. “It is consonant with the Belarusian policy,” he said.

Apart from that, the agreement on visa-free trips between Ecuador and Belarus offers a possibility for more active cooperation in education, culture and sport.

Vladimir Andreichenko thanked the President of the Ecuadorian parliament who also serves as Chairperson of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino) for the support of Belarus in its bid to get an observer status in this inter-parliamentary organization. The parties are expected to sign agreements on cooperation between the Belarusian and Ecuadorian parliaments, and also between Belarus and the Latin American Parliament on 28 March. Vladimir Andreichenko expressed hope that they would add a new impetus to cooperation between the two countries.

In his words, the mutual visits of the Presidents of the two countries that have taken place in the recent years added a powerful impetus to the development of the bilateral relations. The countries opened their embassies on the territory of each other in 2014.