Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 12 April (BelTA) – Belarus is aimed at gradual development of relations with Armenia, Chairman of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko said as he met with President of the National Assembly of Armenia Ara Babloyan in St Petersburg on 12 April, BelTA learned from the press service of the House of Representatives.

It was stressed at the meeting that Belarus is aimed at consistent and long-term development of close relations with Armenia in all sectors. “For this, it is necessary to make the best use of all the instruments of parliamentary diplomacy, including the activity of the Belarusian-Armenian inter-parliamentary commission on cooperation, which next meeting is due to take place in Belarus to mark the 25^th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries,” the press service said.

Vladimir Andreichenko noted that Belarus is an important trading partner for Armenia. Despite the economic difficulties in the recent years, in 2017 the two countries managed to overcome the downward trend and return to a gradual increase in mutual trade. Last year, the bilateral trade amounted to $42.7 million, up almost 33% from 2016. In January 2018, the mutual trade went up by almost 9% as against January 2017.

The chairman of the House of Representatives expressed confidence that bilateral cooperation can be boosted through the implementation of new mutually beneficial projects in the areas such as industry and production cooperation, extraction of commercial minerals, agriculture, energy, IT, education, healthcare and others. “This can be achieved through the supplies of Belarusian equipment to Armenia, and its financial and credit support, the modernization of the urban passenger transport network and lift facilities in Yerevan and other cities of Armenia, the setting up of joint ventures and implementation of joint projects to produce and promote competitive and in-demand products to third countries, first of all, to the EAEU, Iran and the EU, with which Armenia signed the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement in late 2017,” the press service said.

“The implementation of joint projects will also promote direct contacts between the regions of Belarus and Armenia, help address employment issues and increasing real incomes of the population, the welfare of citizens and economic development of the states,” Vladimir Andreichenko said.

Apart from the economic sector, the parties are interested in developing humanitarian cooperation, including education, healthcare, science, culture, sports, and tourism. The chairman of the House of Representatives stressed that Belarus would be glad to welcome Armenian participants and guests at its international festival of arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, the 2018 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, the 2^nd European Games MINSK 2019, the 2021 IIHF World Championship and other international cultural and sports events.

The speakers praised a high level of bilateral inter-parliamentary relations.

The Belarusian parliamentary delegation led by the chairman of the House of Representatives is taking part in the CIS IPA and OSCE PA events in St. Petersburg on 12-13 April.

The 47^th plenary meeting of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly will be held in the Duma Hall of the Tauride Palace on April 13. The main theme of the meeting is the Intercultural Dialogue of the CIS Countries: State, Prospects and Legal Framework, marking to the Year of Culture in the CIS.

The agenda includes the draft convention on preserving the cultural heritage of the CIS member states, the draft model laws on joint research and cooperation in the development of innovative products (services), identification, registration, traceability of the farm livestock, identification and traceability of products of animal origin, and the activity of student teams.

The MPs will also consider the CIS draft model Code of Culture, based on the Belarus’ Code of Culture.

Igor Marzalyuk, Deputy Chairman of the CIS IPA Standing Commission on Science and Education, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly for Education, Culture and Science, will present the model laws On Expertise and Expert Activities, On Preschool Education, and also draft recommendations on reviewing scientific, including scientific and pedagogical, highly skilled workers.

Leonid Tsuprik, Chairman of the CIS IPA Standing Commission on Studying the Experience of State Construction and Local Self-Government, Chairman of the Standing Commission of the House of Representatives for State Construction, Local Self-Government and Regulations, will report on the draft model laws On State Civil and Municipal Services and On the documents of the strategic forecasting and planning.