Speeches & Interviews

Belarus interested in full-scale cooperation with European parliamentary institutions

MINSK, 2 April (BelTA) - Belarus is interested in establishing full-scale cooperation with European parliamentary institutions but only on an equal footing, without political domination and interference in the internal affairs of the country, Chairman of the Council of the Republic Anatoly Rubinov said when speaking at the opening of the eighth session of the upper chamber of the Belarusian parliament.

“I think that eventually the OSCE PA and PACE, and the European Union will realize the futility of the decisions aimed at infringement upon the national interests of Belarus,” Anatoly Rubinov said.

Belarus, according to him, does not represent any threat to any country of the world and creates no problems to any of the neighboring states. “All relations between the authorities and the citizens inside the country are built in strict accordance with the Constitution and the laws. Therefore, there is no objective reason for political or economic pressure on Belarus. Western politicians need to realize that Belarus has never been conquered by force and the only way of its integration into the European Community is to respect its sovereignty and the right of the Belarusian people to choose the path of its development,” the Speaker said.

Anatoly Rubinov is confident: “This campaign with sanctions is temporary.” He stressed that “we should not respond to provocations and continue calm and systemic work in the international parliamentary organizations”. In particular, there are plans to continue working with foreign parliaments and inter-parliamentary organizations. The Belarusian delegation is currently attending the 126th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Uganda.

The Speaker stated that the 41st session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Belarus-Russia Union is to take place shortly. A number of events will be held by the EurAsEC and CIS inter-parliamentary assemblies, the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly in May.

“We are expecting a parliamentary delegation of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation led by Valentina Matviyenko. We are also planning official visits to Astana and the Republic of South Africa,” Anatoly Rubinov said.

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