Events

MINSK, 28 November (BelTA) - Belarus convincingly promotes itself as a donor of security in Europe, Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich said as he opened the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Central European Initiative in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus has convincingly and consistently promoted itself as a contributor to stability and security in Europe,” the speaker noted.

Being a subregional organization, an integral part of a broader European integration, the CEI should enhance its role in various integration organizations. “Belarus is very responsible about its CEI Presidency,” Mikhail Myasnikovich underlined. He recalled that the activities in the CEI three dimensions (parliamentary, business, interaction between governments) were carried out at a high level. “For Belarus this creates a good platform for the future, including the relations with the EU countries and other states-members of the initiative,” the Chairman of the Council of the Republic noted.

Belarus supports further cooperation between the CEI and the United Nations. “The diversity of the countries - members of the CEI should also contribute to the strengthening of cooperation in the EU and the regional initiatives,” the speaker added.

In addition to Belarus, the meeting is attended by representatives of 12 countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Austria, Slovenia and Ukraine. Invitations to attend the event have been sent to members of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, scientists, and representatives of the real sector of the economy, including the heads of major innovative and high-tech companies.

The meeting will discuss the development of the digital economy in the context of ensuring information security, digital banking technologies, the adoption of legislative, organizational and other measures to support the development of IT products, unmanned driving technologies, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.

Belarus presides in the Central European Initiative (CEI) in 2017. The motto of Belarus' presidency in the CEI is to promote connectivity in a greater Europe. This regional association includes 18 countries. The main task of the CEI is to promote flexible and pragmatic European regional cooperation in order to prevent the emergence of new dividing lines in Europe.