Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 22 January (BelTA) – Belarus has an interest in cooperation with South Korea in information technology and digital economy, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Boleslav Pirshtuk noted during a meeting with South Korean MPs on 22 January. The foreign delegation is led by Lee Won-wook, Deputy Chairman of the Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Committee of South Korea’s National Assembly, head of the working group on cooperation with Belarus, BelTA has learned.

Boleslav Pirshtuk commended the organization of the annual conference of speakers from different countries in Seoul, who gather to exchange views on topical matters on the international agenda. He assumed that the next session will be dedicated to cyber security, counter-terrorism, and the fight against drugs. These issues require some extra consideration, he added.

“We have a big interest in cooperation in IT and digital economy, the fields where you have ample experience and very good results,” the Belarusian MP said. He drew attention to the fact that Belarus has taken certain measures in these fields. For instance, in late 2017 Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko signed Ordinance No.8 on digital economy development which enabled unprecedented conditions for developing the IT industry and gave a serious competitive edge to the country for building a digital economy. “It would be important for us to explore your experience and discuss relevant approaches, because they are the future,” Boleslav Pirshtuk remarked. He believes that the two countries could “find common ground in these matters”.

According to the vice speaker, Belarusian athletes have been actively training for the 2018 Olympics which will take place in South Korea’s Pyeongchang soon. The Belarusians intend to produce a solid performance at the forum.

In turn, Lee Won-wook thanked Belarus for the official invitation to the country. Last time a South Korean delegation visited Belarus was in 2015, he recalled. The MP also expressed hope that Belarus-South Korea relations will keep developing in various fields.