Opinions & Interviews
PM: Belarus, Moldova make great progress in cooperation at all levels
MINSK, 22 September (BelTA) - Belarus and Moldova have achieved high results in cooperation at various levels, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said as he met with outgoing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Moldova to Belarus Victor Sorocean on 22 September, BelTA has learned.
“The reason for today’s meeting is the completion of your diplomatic mission in Belarus. The end of one stage is always the beginning of another one. I am sure you are proud and satisfied with all the four years you have worked in our country. You have been personally involved in maintaining contacts, implementing economic projects, promoting constructive cooperation between Belarus and Moldova in economy, culture and humanitarian affairs. We have achieved good results and good dynamics of contacts, including at the highest level,” said Roman Golovchenko.
In his words, the visit of the Belarusian president to Moldova in 2018 gave a significant impetus to the development of relations between the two countries. Not long ago, the chairman of the Moldovan parliament paid a visit to Belarus.
“Moldova, at least until recently, has been actively interested in developing economic cooperation with the EAEU countries, and has been granted the status of a state observer. We hope that this course will be maintained by your country's new government and new parliament. According to our assessment, this is beneficial primarily to Moldova's economy and its people,” said Roman Golovchenko.
Among the positive results of bilateral cooperation, the prime minister mentioned the launch of direct air flights between Minsk and Chisinau, the transfer of cargo transportation between the countries on a permit-free basis, and numerous cultural events.
“I am sure that you are completing your mission on the rise. We hope that the rhythm, the pace of relations that has been gained during your stay in Belarus will be maintained by your successor, the Moldovan authorities. We are confident that it is in the interests of both states. We are optimistic about the future of our bilateral relations,” Roman Golovchenko said.
In turn, Victor Sorocean said that in 2018 when he spoke at the economic forum in Gomel, he identified the main priority of relations between Moldova and Belarus which was cooperation and joint ventures.
“Cooperative relations have one peculiarity, which is the responsibility of both the sides. It is a very important component of the economy. We have been successfully assembling Belkommunmash trolleybuses in Chisinau for over 10 years. We have reached the localization rate of 45%. Now we are mulling over the promotion of this product to the European market and, in particular, to the neighboring countries - Bulgaria and Romania. These countries are interested at our machines, as they are good in service and attractive in terms of price,” said the ambassador.
In January-July 2021, the trade between Belarus and Moldova amounted to $123.1 million, up 15% compared with the same stretch a year ago. Exports made up $86.3 million (up 30.8%), imports - $36.8 million (down 10.2%). Belarus posted a trade surplus of $49.5 million. Belarus’ main exports included specific goods (oil products, tractors and tractor trucks, trolleybuses, fiberglass), dairy products, medicines, plastic boards and films, sawn timber, fiberglass boards, and glass.
The main imports of goods from Moldova were natural grape wines, spirits, corn, fresh fruit, instruments and devices for automatic regulation and control, carpets and floor coverings, canned vegetables and fruit, plaster, unalloyed steel bars, and medicines.
More than 60 representative offices, subsidiaries, and distributors of Belarusian enterprises operate in Moldova, including three assembly productions (trolleybuses Belkommunmash, garden and wine-making tractors of Smorgon Aggregate Plant, small and medium capacity tractors of Bobruisk Plant of Tractor Parts and Units). Belarus is home to 23 enterprises with Moldovan capital, including seven joint ventures and 16 foreign organizations.
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