Events

Belarus’ Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei conveyed a message from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to President of Ecuador Rafael Correa Delgado as he met with Vice President of Ecuador Jorge Glas Espinel. The meeting was attended by the heads of the Ecuadorean ministries interested in the enhancement of bilateral cooperation with Belarus. The sides shared the information on the progress in the fulfillment of the agreements between the two presidents which were reached during the visits of the Belarusian President to Ecuador in June 2012 and the Ecuadorean President to Minsk in October 2013. The sides outlined concrete steps to promote cooperation in various industries.

The Ecuadorian Vice President attended the ceremony to sign the agreement on visa-free trips for citizens of Belarus and Ecuador. The document was signed by the foreign ministers.

Vladimir Makei held a one-on-one meeting with Foreign Minister of Ecuador Ricardo Patino Aroca to discuss the ways to promote political contacts, including at the highest level. The sides expressed confidence that the recent opening of the Belarusian Embassy in Ecuador and the future opening of the Ecuadorean Embassy in Belarus will give a nudge to the development of bilateral cooperation. The ministers discussed the situation in Europe, Central and Latin America, ways to enhance cooperation in the international arena.

The foreign ministers of Belarus and Ecuador held an expanded participation meeting with numerous representatives of Ecuadorean ministries and Belarusian companies (MAZ, Belorusneft, Belzarubezhstroy). The sides analyzed issues which emerge in the implementation of bilateral projects in various industries, determined ways to resolve these issues. Belarus and Ecuador agreed to explore new cooperation avenues before the second session of the Belarusian-Ecuadorean commission for trade and economic cooperation which is expected to take place in Quito in early autumn.

The sides also signed a memorandum of understanding in agriculture, animal husbandry, aquaculture and fishing. On Belarus’ behalf the document was signed by First Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Marinich.

Vladimir Makei visited the Yachay City of Knowledge which is designed to become a unique technological and education center in Latin America. He discussed possible cooperation with the leadership of Yachay. The Ecuadorean side is eager to promote cooperation with the Belarusian Hi-Tech Park.

Vladimir Makei was in Ecuador on an official visit on 20-21 June.