Opinions & Interviews

SARAJEVO, 13 December (BelTA) - Belarus will make every effort to strengthen the role of the CEI in the integration processes in Europe during its Presidency in the organization in 2017, Belarus Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov said when speaking at the CEI Summit of Heads of Government in Sarajevo, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus will make every possible effort to strengthen the role of the CEI as a ‘converging point’ of different integration platforms and processes in Europe. Belarus is convinced that the Central European Initiative is important and relevant for our countries and our citizens. In this regard, we are focused and ready to contribute to joint efforts to further develop it,” Andrei Kobyakov sad.

“The Presidency in the CEI not only opens additional opportunities for Belarus’ engagement in the European integration processes but also contributes to a more geographically balanced approach in the activities of the organization,” Andrei Kobyakov said. “While fulfilling this important role of Belarus intends to ensure proper coherence and consistency in the work of the organization, taking into account the interests of all its member countries,” he added.

According to Andrei Kobyakov, the CEI should continue to serve as a link between different integration platforms and historical subregions in Europe. Today it connects the European Union countries, the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe on the basis of the idea of a united, peaceful and strong Europe. “Our organization must continue to be a key partner of the European Union in the implementation of the macro-regional strategies and promotion of a wider European integration. The CEI has all the necessary capacity and expertise to assist in achieving the main goals of the updated European Neighborhood Policy,” the Belarusian Prime Minister said. “First of all, the matter is about the stabilization of the region through economic development, through creating new growth points, achieving greater infrastructure connectivity and mobility,” added the Prime Minister. This can also play an important role in enhancing the “Eastern dimension” in the activities of the organization.

Belarus fully supports the process of further developing the interaction between the CEI and other key players in the region. “Belarus is in favor of continued efforts to expand the network of international contacts of the CEI through closer cooperation with other international, regional and subregional organizations. In this context, we welcome the agreements on cooperation between the CEI and the UN, OSCE, the Council of Europe, the European Energy Community, International Center for Migration Policy Development, International Anti-Corruption Academy and other organizations,” Andrei Kobyakov stated.

Belarus also supports the practice of joint high-level events with key economic players such as the international conference on support of entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized businesses organized by the CEI jointly with the EBRD in Trieste in April 2016. “Such activities have exceptional importance for the promotion of trade, investment and recovery of economic growth in the CEI member states,” the Belarusian Prime Minister said.

In addition, Belarus welcomes and fully supports the timely initiative of the Bosnian Presidency to establish a working group on the CEI reforms, whose main objective is to develop concrete proposals to further improve the efficiency of the organization and update its areas of focus.