Events

MINSK, 14 December (BelTA) – We have a proposal for setting up friendship groups in the Parliaments of Belarus and the UK, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich said as he met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Belarus Fionna Gibb on 14 December.

According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, Belarus is interested in developing cooperation with Great Britain. Belarus has been cooperating with a number of states through so-called parliamentary friendship groups. This move helps expand horizons of bilateral cooperation. “I would like to hear your opinion on the matter, whether it is realistic and what Belarus should do to establish such inter-parliamentary contacts,” the speaker said.

According to the Chairman of the Council of the Republic, Belarus is interested in expanding economic cooperation with Great Britain. The trade between the two countries is relatively high. Belarus' main exports to the UK are oil products and potash fertilizers. “This is good, but we would like to diversify our export product portfolio,” he noted.

“We would like to hear your point of view on possible investment cooperation, including joint companies, or, as we say, greenfield projects,” said Mikhail Myasnikovich. He also noted that Belarus also seeks cooperation in the chemical industry. As for the production of pharmaceutical drugs, Belarus is working together with India. Cooperation with British companies in the area looks very promising, as well, the speaker added.

Mikhail Myasnikovich believes that the parties need to discuss the legal framework which is currently small. There are about ten documents that regulate economic and political relations between the two countries. The states need to work on expanding the legal framework in order to boost economic, humanitarian and sci-tech cooperation.