Events

26 Mar 2020

Belarus MPs hope to make up for delays in international parliamentary cooperation amid coronavirus

Andrei Savinykh

MINSK, 26 March (BelTA) - Belarusian MPs hope to make up for delays in international parliamentary cooperation because of coronavirus, Chairman of the Standing Commission on International Affairs of the House of Representatives Andrei Savinykh told journalists on 26 March, BelTA has learned.

The situation with the coronavirus in the world has slowed down the international activities of the House of Representatives, Andrei Savinykh noted. “The plans that we had for May-June will have to be postponed until the autumn. This is an unavoidable situation. We are ready for it, and I think we will be able to make up for these delays," he said.

The MP noted that some of the events can be held online. “However, there are forms of work that, unfortunately, cannot be replaced with videoconferencing,” the MP added.

When asked about the preparations for the ratification of the visa facilitation agreement with the EU, Andrei Savinykh informed that the process is proceeding in full compliance with the plans. “I think this will be one of the first items on the agenda of the session,” Andrei Savinykh said.

The Council of the House of Representatives considered the issues of the spring session agenda, setting up a working group for the Sustainable Development Goals. It will include 14 members of the House of Representatives.

A regulation on working groups for cooperation with foreign parliaments and on delegations of the National Assembly in international parliamentary organizations has been approved. “This document has been designed based on our experience. It can be seen as a roadmap for the development of interaction with every particular parliament. It offers forms and methods of work and, I think, will help MPs fill the cooperation agenda with foreign parliaments with high-quality meaningful content,” Andrei Savinykh explained. The council also considered setting up a working group of the National Assembly for Belarusians abroad.