Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 9 June (BelTA) – The visit of President of the National Assembly of Serbia Maja Gojkovic will open a new stage in the development of contacts between the parliaments of Belarus and Serbia, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich said as he met with the Speaker of the Serbian parliament on 9 June, BelTA informs.

“We believe that the visit will open a new stage in the development of contacts between the parliaments of our countries,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said. In his words, the lawmakers of the two states can work together to strengthen the legal framework of the Belarusian-Serbian cooperation.

The Speaker of the Council of the Republic stated that in 2009 the parties signed a free trade agreement. As a result the trade between Belarus and Serbia has soared 4.5 times over the five years.

According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, all investment projects with the Serbian participation get massive support in Belarus, including at the level of national enactments and decrees. The country provides comfortable conditions for Serbian business. The Speaker also emphasized the fact that Maja Gojkovic is accompanied to Belarus by Serbian MP and businessman Dragomir Karic who has done a lot for the development of trade and economic relations between the two countries.

According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, Serbia is not just a reliable partner for Belarus. It is a so-called bridge between the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union. “Of course who uses this bridge is important for us,” the Chairman of the Council of the Republic said. Mikhail Myasnikovich believes it is necessary to intensify contacts between the companies of the two countries, including in the production of car components. Impetus should be also given to the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation and the business council set up at the basis of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Belarus and Serbia.

In 2014 the export of goods from Belarus to Serbia increased by 15% to make up $115 million. Belarus exports to Serbia its newsprint paper, refrigerators, tractors, buses and many more.