Opinions & Interviews

Belarus seeks closer cooperation with Italy

ROME, 6 February (BelTA) – Belarus is aimed at closer cooperation with Italy, Belarus’ Prime Minister Sergei Rumas said as he met with Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Minister of Economic Development, Labor and Social Policy Luigi Di Maio on 6 February, BelTA has learned.

Sergei Rumas suggested resuming the operation of the Belarusian-Italian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation. The Belarusian head of government took note of positive trends in the bilateral trade. In 2018, Belarus-Italy trade went up by 15.2% from 2017 to reach $912.7 million. He also invited Italian companies to implement projects in the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone. 

Belarus traditionally sees Italy among friends in the EU, and also views it as one of the major economic partners. The two countries have set up a bilateral legal framework, have gained the experience of interaction on the international arena. However, according to the Belarusian side, the potential of bilateral relations has not yet been fully realized.

Today's meeting is the first one at the level of the governments of Belarus and Italy over the past ten years, which is important for stepping up the bilateral dialogue.

Luigi di Maio, in turn, thanked Sergei Rumas for the opportunity to meet in person and discuss a wide range of issues of the Belarusian-Italian cooperation.

The Belarusian prime minister invited Luigi di Maio to visit Belarus and also to attend the 2nd European Games in Minsk to root for Italian athletes.

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