26th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk

MINSK, 5 July (BelTA) – I hope the 26th OSCE PA Annual Session will see a constructive exchange of opinions and abandon confrontational thinking, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko said as he spoke at the opening ceremony of the session in Minsk on 5 July, BelTA has learned.

“We hope the session will see a constructive exchange of opinions and, most importantly, will bring an end to confrontational thinking on the most difficult international issues,” the speaker remarked. He is convinced that the parliamentary diplomacy should be building bridges, destroying stereotypes, and finding mutually acceptable solutions to a wide range of issues. “We need to put ambitions aside and concentrate on the effort to consolidate cooperation. If we accommodate each other on the main points, we will make progress on smaller issues,” Vladimir Andreichenko noted.

He also stressed that the National Assembly of Belarus is ready for close cooperation within and beyond the framework of the OSCE PA session. “We have already scheduled an array of bilateral meetings upon request of some national delegations. These meetings will bring together parliament speakers, chairpersons of commissions, and the working groups on cooperation with foreign parliaments,” the speaker specified.

Vladimir Andreichenko emphasized that many delegates showed interest in Belarus in terms of promoting business contacts and finding ways to establish mutually beneficial economic partnership. “We also find this topic quite relevant and interesting. Belarus boasts a significant economic, scientific, technical, and intellectual potential. You may count on our support in this matter. We have got certain experience in developing regional cooperation and hosting business forums. We are ready to discuss every initiative of this kind,” Vladimir Andreichenko said.