Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 26 May (BelTA) – The visit of the Indonesian parliamentary delegation to Belarus is an important step towards enhancing the cooperation in all fields, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko said as he met with Speaker of the Regional Representative Council of the People's Consultative Assembly of Indonesia Irman Gusman on 26 May, BelTA has learned.

"We consider your visit as an important step towards enhancing the all-round cooperation between Belarus and Indonesia. For Belarus Indonesia is an important trading partner in Southeast Asia,” Vladimir Andreichenko said.

"As was noted in the meetings with the President and the Prime Minister, we have actively been building up mutual trade despite the crisis in the global economy. We believe that our countries have great potential,” Vladimir Andreichenko said.

According to Vladimir Andreichenko, the visit of the state delegation led by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko in 2013 laid down the basis of the Belarus-Indonesia bilateral cooperation. In 2013 Minsk hosted Speaker of the House of Representatives of Indonesia Marzuki Alie. "Unfortunately, no visit of a Belarusian parliamentary delegation has taken place yet. But this is due to objective reasons. However, this visit has not been removed from the agenda, and we will try to carry it out," Vladimir Andreichenko said.

Inter-parliamentary relations are an important link in the system of international relations, and Belarus will do its utmost so that these relations should develop rapidly. For this purpose, the National Assembly of Belarus of the fifth convocation set up a working group on cooperation with the Parliament of Indonesia. "We would like your Parliament to create a group of Belarus’ friends," said the Speaker.

He also emphasized constructive cooperation between delegations of the two countries within the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and expressed confidence that such mutual relations should be expanded in the future, including within other international organizations.

“Belarus is open to Indonesia and is ready to cooperate on any issue of your interest,” the Speaker said addressing the foreign guests.

In turn, Irman Gusman expressed hope for comprehensive cooperation with Belarus and took note of political ties. In his words, the figures of economic cooperation attest to considerable bilateral efforts.

At present the legal framework of the bilateral relations between Belarus and Indonesia consists of 21 international agreements. Among them are agreements on diplomatic relations, economic and technical cooperation, visa-free trips for holders of diplomatic and service passports, ministerial consultations, sci-tech cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences an agreement between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, a trade agreement and others.

Belarus and Indonesia have been steadily developing their trade and economic cooperation. The two countries have set up a joint commission on trade, economic, sci-tech cooperation. The bilateral trade increased from $1.8 million in 1995 to $215 million in 2014. Belarus’ main exports to Indonesia include potash fertilizers, tires and trucks.

Apart from that, the two countries are developing regional cooperation between Mogilev Oblast and South Sumatra Province, Minsk Oblast and East Kalimantan and East Java Provinces, Brest Oblast and West Sumatra Province, Minsk and Jakarta. The Governor of South Sumatra is expected to visit Mogilev Oblast in August 2015.