Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 28 February (BelTA) – Belarus and Germany will advance interparliamentary cooperation. Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Boleslav Pirshtuk made the statement as he met with Deputy Chairman of the Belarus-Germany group in the German parliament Johann David Wadephul on 28 February, BelTA has learned.

Boleslav Pirshtuk said: “Germany is our major partner, the most important partner in the European direction, and occupies a special place in the foreign policy of our country.”

According to the MP, Belarus’ contacts with European Union countries have become more intensive recently. Quite a large number of mutual visits have taken place. The year 2016 is a fine example in that regard. Boleslav Pirshtuk said he hopes that the lack of understanding that had existed between Belarus and European Union countries for quite some time with regard to individual things will become a thing of the past. “A lot depends on us. We can make the steps to make these relations more dynamic and effective,” he was convinced. Members of the parliaments should play an important role in this matter.

Boleslav Pirshtuk said he believes that Belarus and Germany had established smooth cooperation in international organizations, including the OSCE. The Belarusian side expects that work in the OSCE will be fruitful. “We share Berlin’s view in favor of reinforcing the OSCE, improving security and stability in the organization’s responsibility area. It is true with regard to our joint effort to resolve the conflict in Ukraine among other things. I am convinced that interparliamentary cooperation should become a mandatory component of the full-value political dialogue. We consider regular bilateral contacts at various levels as a condition for reinforcing mutual trust,” stressed the Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus.

Boleslav Pirshtuk continued: “Taking into account the key place of the German parliament in the German government system and the parliament’s broad authority in shaping and implementing the country’s foreign policy, we consider the Belarus-Germany parliament group as a subject in the bilateral political dialogue.” He also said he hopes that this year’s elections to the German parliament will not hinder the development of relations with Belarus.

The MP also reminded that the summer session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will take place in Minsk in summer 2017. Apart from that, Belarus now presides in the Central European Initiative. “It is a good opportunity to fill our cooperation with new contacts and mutual support,” he said.

In turn, Johann David Wadephul admitted that he had come to Belarus in order to improve and normalize the dialogue. In his opinion, it is necessary to more frequently arrange personal meetings and share opinions to reach this goal. Communication via mass media is a worse option, said the German MP.