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22 Apr 2016

Belarus views African Union as gateway to Africa

MINSK, 22 April (BelTA) – Belarus hopes the African Union will become a gateway in the development of economic cooperation with the continent, Belarusian First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Mikhnevich told media after his meeting with Chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

“This is an opportunity to discuss mutual relations between Belarus and the African continent. We need a structure to help us orient ourselves. There are a great number of countries there. We cannot open embassies everywhere. Therefore, we need someone who will lead us in Africa. We find mutual understanding with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. The union is ready to provide assistance: inform on tenders, areas, projects, other possible spheres of cooperation,” Alexander Mikhnevich said.

According to the First Deputy Minister, the trade between Belarus and African countries makes up nearly $900 million at present, which is far from the potential of the parties. Moreover, areas the African continent chooses in its development are very close to Belarus. “These are energy efficiency, infrastructure development, education, the use of national products and mineral resources, agriculture. We possess experience and achievements in every of the abovementioned areas and we are ready to lend our shoulder to our African friends. For now it is important to organize it all properly,” said Alexander Mikhnevich.

In his words, the parties are currently in talks on concrete areas of cooperation, including supplies of agro-industrial equipment and technology to African countries. The parties are also discussing the ways to attract more students to Belarus, cooperation in healthcare.

Alexander Mikhnevich also took note of similar views of Belarus and the African Union on many issues of international cooperation, including within the UN, Non-Aligned Movement, human rights.

For her part, Ms Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma stressed that Belarus has great potential, experience and knowledge in various fields: from education to agriculture. “In Africa there are many uncultivated lands, and we would like to increase agricultural production. Now African countries import about 83% of food while the continent has all opportunities to develop agriculture. We would like to take advantage of Belarus’ experience, use your technological developments in order to ensure the necessary agricultural production,” said the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

Furthermore, Africa now seeks to develop the infrastructure for water, transport, and the production of electricity with a focus on renewable sources. There are good prospects for the development of cooperation in industrialization, development of mineral resources, trade. “Belarus can become a reliable partner for African countries. The potential of cooperation with Belarus is very big,” Ms Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma noted.

“She added that African countries have had historical links with Belarus since the times of the Soviet Union. “Belarus and other countries have shown that they are friends not only in good times but also in bad times,” Ms Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said.

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