News & Events in Belarus

Belarus, Spain intend to sign several cooperation agreements

Juan Antonio March Pujol, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Spain to the Russian Federation with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Belarus

MINSK, 11 December (BelTA) – Belarus and Spain intend to sign several bilateral agreements on cooperation, BelTA learnt from Juan Antonio March Pujol, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Spain to the Russian Federation with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Belarus.

“At present both the sides are considering several draft agreements in order to bring their relations to a higher level. These agreements touch upon education and investments areas, transportation of passengers and freights. I hope that one of these documents will be signed during a forthcoming meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries,” the Spanish Ambassador said.  

Juan Antonio March Pujol noted that the preparation of a visit of Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov to Spain is underway. The visit is expected to be made in the near future.

Speaking about the existing level of the trade and economic cooperation of Belarus and Spain, Juan Antonio March Pujol noted that the potential in this area is not used to the full. “The trade between our countries is too low (it has never reached €500 million). Furthermore, it reduced because of the global economic crisis. Nevertheless, Belarus posts a considerable surplus in the trade with Spain,” said the diplomat.   

According to the Spanish Ambassador, business circles of both the countries have to know much more about each other. “I believe that the number of the Spanish companies, which visit Belarus to study the trade and economic possibilities, should grow. In turn, more Belarusian companies should send there representatives to Spain to seek sales markets,” he said. 

The diplomat noted that the Spanish Government has developed the programme of internationalization of their companies to expand their presence and activity in foreign countries. This programme envisages various measures to help them in the search for opportunities to do business and open new markets. We hope that the Spanish companies will be given an impetus to consider Belarus’ potential as well, Juan Antonio March Pujol added.  

Answering the question about the possibility to open the Spanish Embassy in Belarus, Juan Antonio March Pujol reminded that Spain had plans to open its embassy in Minsk. “Belarus was among the priority goals outlined by the Foreign Ministry on developing its representations abroad in line with the new international reality. At the same time, the coming of the global economic crisis in Spain and its impact on the state budget ruined these plans. For more than a year, the Finance Ministry of Spain has not permit the Foreign Ministry to open new missions abroad. So, we have to wait a little for opening the Spanish Embassy in Minsk,” the diplomat said.

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