Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 26 April (BelTA) – Belarus and Estonia can bolster trade and economic relations, and raise the bilateral trade several times, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Boleslav Pirshtuk said as he met with Chairman of the Parliamentary Group for Relations with Belarus Valery Korb on 26 April, BelTA informs.

Boleslav Pirshtuk remarked that in recent the two sides have maintained stable work in various fields. “Unfortunately, the previous volume of trade has fallen seriously. The current trade turnover of $100 million is too small. We could increase it several times at least,” Boleslav Pirshtuk is convinced. He stated that there was positive dynamics last year, although the figures are rather modest.

In this context, the vice speaker of the House of Representatives suggested joining efforts to look for growth points and improve indicators. For example, the Belarusian side is ready to share experience in the energy sector, agribusiness, and light industry. Besides, Belarus has made significant progress in the IT sector in recent years. There is interest in the development of investment and interregional cooperation. According to Boleslav Pirshtuk, it is needed to step up efforts to develop the legal framework, and the groups of friendship at the parliaments of Belarus and Estonia will be involved in it. “Our cultural contacts are well developed, we exchange exhibitions. There is willingness to sign a memorandum of cooperation in sport, but the resolution of this issue is protracted due to some reasons. It would be useful to work in this field together,” he believes.

Boleslav Pirshtuk suggested developing the interdepartmental dimension in the Belarusian-Estonian relations. He assured that with the corresponding interest of the Estonian side, MPs are ready to organize specialized meetings between the ministries and agonies.

In addition, it is possible to step up cooperation in international organizations. Boleslav Pirshtuk said that he had returned from Copenhagen (Denmark) the previous day, where he participated in the meeting of the Bureau of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and also recalled that in early July 2017 Minsk will host the summer session of the OSCE PA. The vice speaker drew attention to the fact that Belarus is doing its best to improve positions in the PACE and expects to receive an observer status in the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference. "Your position on this issue can be quite significant," he said.

In turn, Valery Korb assured that Estonian MPs are ready to discuss any issues of interest. According to him, there are some projects resulting of the cooperation of the group of friendship in the Estonian parliament with the previous convocation of the National Assembly of Belarus. The parties can make much progress in this field, he is convinced.