Opinions & Interviews

“The CEI is a unique international platform that enables Belarus to develop cooperation with all the members of the initiative and international institutions and to strengthen cooperation with the European Union,” Margot Klestil-Loffler noted.

She said that the decision to hand over the presidency of the Central European Initiative to Belarus was very important, politically and strategically. “The fact that the country’s prime minister attended our meeting today demonstrates the serious attitude and attention that Belarus pays to the initiative. I am confident that CEI presidency is important not only for Belarus, but also for other member states,” Margot Klestil-Loffler added.

She emphasized the important role of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the work of the CEI, and also welcomed the activities of Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (China) related to the cooperation with the chambers of commerce and industry of the CEI. “Last year, Trieste hosted an international conference of the CEI and Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce. The conference discussed the Chinese Belt and Road initiative. I think that China’s participation will provide us with a good opportunity to step up collaboration across the continent,” Margot Klestil-Loffler stressed.

Minsk is hosting the CEI Meeting of the Senior Management of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry on 8 and 9 June. The list of participants includes CEI Alternate Secretary General Margot Klestil-Loffler, the heads of the chambers of commerce and industry of Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Bulgaria, Romania, and the Czech Republic are represented by the heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to Belarus.