Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 13 October (BelTA) – Belarus-Germany trade and economic cooperation can reach a brand new level. Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yevgeny Shestakov made the statement during the 14^th session of the Belarusian-German group on trade and investments, BelTA has learned.

The official said: “Recently a number of events have been held and steps have been taken, which, from our point of view, allow talking about important positive changes in bilateral relations between Belarus and Germany, Belarus and the European Union as a whole. I think that today good prerequisites are available for advancing our economic cooperation to a brand new level.” The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said he hopes that the steps that had already been taken and the future joint steps meant to advance the dialogue, new quality of interaction would raise the question of resuming the operation of the Belarusian-German intergovernmental council on economic cooperation.

“We also expect the resumption of operation of the Belarusian-German working group on scientific and technical cooperation. I hope that the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research will help make it happen,” noted Yevgeny Shestakov. The official went on saying that the working group would be able to give a serious impulse to cooperation in this sphere.

According to the Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Belarus is open to further cooperation and a dialogue with Germany across the board. Any proposals of the German side in favor of bolstering the bilateral relations will not be left unattended.

Yevgeny Shestakov also added that most of the decisions and arrangements made in 2015 had been implemented or were being further elaborated. The fact confirmed the usefulness and effectiveness of the working group on trade and investments as a most important platform for a dialogue on economic affairs.

During the session of the Belarusian-German group on trade and investments the sides are supposed to discuss matters concerning the development of bilateral cooperation in trade and investments, export and credit insurance, manufacturing cooperation, power engineering, logistics and transport as well as professional education.