Events

BUDAPEST, 27 November (BelTA) – The member states of the Central Eastern European Countries and China (CEEC-China 16+1) can make an important contribution to the implementation of the new Helsinki Process initiative, Belarus’ Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov said at the Central Eastern European Countries and China 16+1 heads of government summit in Budapest on 27 November, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus attaches special importance to the need to develop a dialogue to strengthen confidence-building measures, security and cooperation. As an observer country, Belarus participates in the activities of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia. It is clear for us that European countries also need to pay special attention to the renewal of the pan-European dialogue in security. Therefore, Belarus has come up with an initiative to organize the new Helsinki process to identify common principles and goals to strengthen confidence,” Andrei Kobyakov said.

As part of this broad dialogue the 16+1 member states and observers could make a significant contribution to overcoming the existing contradictions in the relations between states, to developing mutually acceptable principles and areas of cooperation, the Belarusian head of government said.

Belarus views the cooperation within the framework of the Central European Initiative as an important aspect of international cooperation. A regular meeting of the CEI heads of government will be held in Minsk on 12 December.

“We offered our CEI partners to discuss pressing issues. First and foremost, this is compatibility and connectivity of our countries. Along with the development of transport and logistics infrastructure these concepts mean the harmonization of standards and customs procedures, introduction of modern information technologies for trade facilitation and development of cross-border services,” Andrei Kobyakov noted.