Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 April (BelTA) – The decision to hold the 26^th summer session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly shows that the EU is ready for a dialogue with Belarus, Deputy Chairman of the Permanent Commission for International Affairs of the House of Representatives Dmitry Shevtsov remarked when commenting on the keynotes of the president’s State of the Nation Address on 21 April.

“Lately Belarus-EU relations have gained a positive momentum. Belarus has always been a country with which you need to build a dialogue on equal terms. The decision to hold the OSCE PA summer session in Minsk in July shows that the EU is ready for a dialogue. In turn, we are open to discuss all kinds of matters. Although we still hear some skeptical statements on the part of our European partners, they are becoming fewer,” Dmitry Shevtsov said.

The Belarusian MP also noted that Belarus’ goal is to be highly competitive in foreign markets both in terms of goods and services produced. “If we do not try to boost our potential, we may find ourselves on the sidelines in the future,” Dmitry Shevtsov pointed out. This is why Belarus invests much effort to create knowledge-intensive manufactures and develop the IT sector.

Belarus’ partners from Latin America and Southeast Asia commend the Belarusian investment climate and services. “We should keep on working in this field,” Dmitry Shevtsov underlined.

Minsk will host the OSCE PA summer session from 5 to 9 July. The event will focus on the ways of strengthening mutual trust and cooperation for peace and prosperity in the region. The forum is expected to gather approximately 700 participants. The event will feature a session of the OSCE PA Standing Committee and general committees on political affairs and security, economic affairs, science, technology and environment, democracy, human rights and humanitarian questions.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly was established in Madrid, Spain in April 1991. It comprises 323 MPs from 57 countries.