Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 28 May (BelTA) - Belarus pursues a policy of building mutual trust and reducing tension in Europe, Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich said as he met with a delegation of the Bulgaria-Belarus friendship group at the National Assembly of Bulgaria headed by its leader Vasil Antonov, BelTA has learned.

Belarus pays close attention to strengthening security in the region. “We pursue a policy of building mutual trust and reducing tension in Europe,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said. Last week Minsk hosted a big international conference “Eastern Europe: In the search of Security for All”. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko was among the key speakers. The head of state proposed a series of measures to strengthen security in the region, and his ideas were supported by the community of experts.

The chairman of the Council of the Republic invited the Bulgarian parliamentarians to discuss the activities of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) where Belarus has an observer status. In his view, the BSEC should be more recognizable, including the parliamentary dimension. Development of the organization, promoting of contacts among participating countries will also contribute to the strengthening of stability in the region, Mikhail Myasnikovich believes.

Belarus and Bulgaria have long-standing friendly relations. The chairman of the Council of the Republic emphasized progress in trade and economic cooperation. The bilateral trade exceeded $112 million in 2017 (up 35.1% on 2016). In January-March 2018, it amounted to $27.67 million (up 40.6% as against the same period of 2017).

The parties discussed the prospects for inter-parliamentary cooperation. The Council of the Republic is interested in the development of contacts between regions, Mikhail Myasnikovich emphasized. “I would like regions to work as actively as the capitals,” he said.

The parties also talked over the development of humanitarian cooperation. Mikhail Myasnikovich believes that Belarus and Bulgaria could increase cooperation in the scientific and education sector. He also praised progress in tourism and expressed confidence that this area of cooperation will continue gathering momentum. On average, about 80,000 Belarusians visit Bulgaria in summer.

The Bulgarian delegation included representatives of the various political parties and spheres of activity. Vasil Antonov expressed confidence that during the current visit the parties will discuss a wide range of issue, which will contribute to the development of bilateral cooperation.