Opinions & Interviews

RIGA, 6 November (BelTA) – Belarus is interested in participating in the events of the 16+1 initiative as an observer, Belarus’ Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov said at the 5^th Meeting of the Heads of Government of Central and Eastern European Countries and China (16+1) on 5 November, BelTA has learned.

“We are ready for further active participation in similar and other events of the 16+1 format as an observer. We are confident that everyone will win from building common economic corridors in close association with the seaport infrastructure of the Baltic states,” Andrei Kobyakov noted.

Belarus will do its best to develop cooperation with European and Chinese partners using various platforms and formats for negotiations, the Prime Minister stressed.

 In his words, Belarus enjoys trust-based comprehensive strategic partnership with China. “It is symbolic that the meeting is held in the year announced in the Eurasian Economic Union as the year of strengthening economic relations on a global scale,” the Prime Minister said.

“Belarus, with its intention for an economy of the future, believes as vitally important to develop such an open and transparent economic space that will to be based on the fundamental principles of the WTO,” Andrei Kobyakov said.

 Following the 16 + 1 meeting the heads of government signed a declaration on cooperation. According to the document, partnership in transport and logistics will be the primary focus of interaction. Projects to develop the international transport corridors Adriatic-Baltic-Black Sea with the use of ports and industrial parks have been identified as priority projects.

Andrei Kobyakov attended the 16 + 1 meeting and business forum in Riga on 5 November. Belarus participated in the meeting in the capacity of a special guest.

 The 16+1 format is China’s initiative to develop cooperation with 11 EU member states and five Balkan states (Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, the Czech Republic, Estonia) in the areas of investment, transport, finance, science, education and culture.