Events

MINSK, 1 November (BelTA) – Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich and Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev have signed a protocol on setting up sub-commissions in the innovative sector, BelTA has learned.

“The official visit of the Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan is a remarkable event in our interparliamentary contacts. Kazakhstan is our strategic partner. We cooperate closely with each other and at international organizations and we certainly set the pace in the Eurasian Economic Union. Parliamentary instruments should be utilized in full in order to facilitate economic cooperation of the two countries. I believe that the document we have signed today is a glimpse into the future,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said.

In his words, although traditional sectors and industry giants stay on the growth track, a breakthrough is needed. A focus should be made on science-intensive companies where a high value added is generated due to intellectual components. “This will be the area of focus of our sub-commissions. We believe that as early as this year members of the sub-commissions will be elected and provisions on these sub-commissions will be elaborated in order to embark on this work as soon as possible. This will not substitute the government, but provide support through legislative improvements and new initiatives that are plenty in Belarus and Kazakhstan,” Mikhail Myasnikovich noted.

Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev added that Belarus made considerable progress in the innovative sector, and Kazakhstan wants to know how this progress was achieved. “During the two days of the visit, we worked quite intensively, held talks. The document we signed is of great importance. In addition to cooperation groups in the parliaments, we will set up sub-commissions that will deal with the most relevant issue – innovative development. We see our mission in encouraging the government and other organizations, including NGOs, to establish close cooperation in this area. Belarus’ economy is steadily growing and Kazakhstan would like to study Belarus’ expertise and knowledge and to cooperate in this field,” he said.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that bilateral cooperation in economy and trade is gaining momentum. “The presidents of Belarus and Kazakhstan set a task to increase bilateral trade to $1 billion, which is quite feasible. The task of the parliaments, including the upper chambers, is to stimulate the work of executive authorities. The parliaments of our countries maintain regular contacts and help each other at international organizations. We have enjoyed our stay on this friendly Belarusian land. Minsk is one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals; it is clean and tidy, which speaks volumes about Belarusian national character and other things,” he noted.

As part of the official visit to Belarus, Kazakhstan’s parliamentary delegation led by Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks at the Council of the Republic to discuss a broad spectrum of the bilateral agenda, including cooperation in trade, economy, investment, humanitarian affairs. High on the agenda were matters related to the Belarusian diaspora abroad.

Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich thanked Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for Kazakhstan’s good attitude to Belarusians living in Kazakhstan. He noted that the Council of the Republic pays much attention to contacts with Belarusians living outside Belarus. “We do care about Belarusians living abroad. We remember about them and keep track of the matters that concern them,” he emphasized.