MINSK, 3 February (BelTA) – Brexit can become a new window of opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the United Kingdom and Belarus, Belarusian Ambassador to the UK Sergei Aleinik said in an interview to the Kontury show on the ONT TV channel on 2 February, BelTA has learned.
“We hope that the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union can become a new window of opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the United Kingdom and Belarus. After the Brexit referendum, we have worked hard to intensify the political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation, and investment ties,” Sergei Aleinik noted.
In recent years, the UK has been Belarus’ third largest export market after Russia and Ukraine. It has also occupied the second position in terms of the volume of investments in Belarus.
In June 2019, Belarus and the UK held the first session of the intergovernmental Trade Dialogue. “I believe that this new format will help bring our trade and economic cooperation to a new level,” the ambassador stressed. He also expressed confidence that Belarusian economic entities will be able to take advantage of new opportunities that are opened up thanks to Brexit to supply Belarusian products to the UK.
Sergei Aleinik noted that the parties are currently implementing a landmark project to set up a joint assembly plant to make Belarusian electric buses in the city of Coventry. The appropriate documents were signed during a visit of Belarus Prime Minister Sergei Rumas to London in November 2019. The UK also seeks to establish an engineering center of advanced technology in the field of electric transport in the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone. The agenda of cooperation also includes joint development of an electric truck to enter markets of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Eurasian Economic Union.
Sergei Aleinik pointed out that London is the global financial center, this is why there is huge potential for stepping up cooperation in banking and finance.
“Belarus seeks to continue constructive cooperation with the UK and to foster relations in all key areas of cooperation,” the ambassador added.