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25 Apr 2013

Belarus, UAE to work out proposals to ease visa rules by year-end

MINSK, 25 April (BelTA) - Belarus and the UAE will work out proposals to ease the visa regime by the end of the year, Foreign Minister of Belarus Vladimir Makei told reporters after the ceremony of signing the international documents of the first meeting of the joint committee on cooperation between the Government of Belarus and the Government of the United Arab Emirates, BelTA learned.

“Today we have signed an agreement on abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic passports. We agreed that this is just the first step. By the end of the year we will work out proposals to ease the visa rules for citizens of our countries,” said the Belarusian Minister. He added that this would require some coordination efforts but the parties are willing to move forward in this direction.

The parties also signed an agreement on the exchange of land plots for diplomatic missions and a protocol that includes a whole range of Belarusian-UAE agreements reached during the two-day visit of the UAE delegation to Belarus. “We reached a number of specific arrangements in the field of industry, agriculture, transport, communications, education and science,” said Vladimir Makei. Within six months, these arrangements will be worked out and evaluated; the specific program on cooperation will be compiled. According to the Minister, the potential of cooperation between the two countries is far from being exhausted. "There is the potential for further enhancement of our cooperation on many fronts," said Vladimir Makei. The meeting also discussed cooperation between the two countries in the international arena. The Minister stressed that there are no problems between Belarus and the UAE on this front.

In his words, the UAE delegation is quite representative. It comprises representatives of government bodies and businessmen. The UAE guests have held meetings in various ministries, took tours of different companies and tourist facilities. The UAE and Belarus signed eight bilateral documents. “We have created a solid legal framework that will contain more than 30 agreements,” Vladimir Makei said. He stressed that the Belarusian side is happy with the results of the negotiations.

For his part, UAE State Minister for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash expressed satisfaction with his visit to Belarus: “It is a wonderful country. I am delighted with my first visit here.” He stressed that the relations between the United Arab Emirates and Belarus are at a very high level of development. According to the UAE official, the two countries need to increase mutual trade. Tourism is another promising area for bilateral cooperation, Anwar Gargash said.

The minister noted that Belarus is one of the leaders in the fight against human trafficking. In his words, the UAE pays its utmost attention to this issue and actively cooperates with Belarus in the area.

The date for the next meeting of the committee will be defined via diplomatic channels and is expected to take place in the UAE.

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