Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 8 June (BelTA) – Belarus’ presidency opens up new opportunities for the Central European Initiative (CEI), CEI Alternate Secretary General Margot Klestil-Loffler said at the Ministerial Conference “Promoting Connectivity in the CEI Region: Bridging the Gap between Europe and Asia” in Minsk on 8 June, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus’ presidency expands the scale and opens up new opportunities for the CEI,” Margot Klestil-Loffler emphasized.

She added that regional cooperation is gaining increasing attention today. “This enables the CEI to play the role of a bridge in different integration associations,” Margot Klestil-Loffler noted.

Minsk is playing host to the Ministerial Conference on relationships and compatibility in the CEI region “Promoting Connectivity in the CEI Region: Bridging the Gap between Europe and Asia” as correlated with the new Silk Road. Thematic panel discussions are focused on the modernization of transport and logistics infrastructure in the context of the EU strategies for the development of trans-European transport corridors involving the resources of international financial institutions; facilitation of trade through the harmonization of customs, rules of origin and value appraisal procedures, tariff and non-tariff regulation, industrial, sanitary and phytosanitary standards (including in the context of building the cooperation between the EU and EAEU).

The conference is also discussing the promotion of the concept of so-called digital transport corridors through the development of paperless trade systems, mutual recognition of electronic shipping documents, online sales platforms for small and medium-sized business, cross-border digital services.

The ministerial conference is held under the aegis of Belarus’ presidency in the CEI.