Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 April (BelTA) - Belarus takes an active part in the activities of the International Bureau of Exhibitions, Secretary General of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) Vicente Loscertales said as he met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to France Pavel Latushko on 23 April, BelTA learnt from the Belarusian diplomatic mission in Paris.

The BIE Secretary General praised the cooperation of Belarus with the organization. Mr Vicente Loscertales gave an example of the country's participation in the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai (China). According to him, the Belarusian Pavilion made an impression as one of the most interesting and original.

The Ambassador briefed Mr Vicente Loscertales on preparations underway in the Republic of Belarus for World Expo 2015 in Milan. He reported on the activities of the organizational committee which is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Rusyi. The parties exchanged opinions on the organization of the National Pavilion at World Expo 2015, and discussed a number of financial issues regarding the participation.

Pavel Latushko informed the BIE Secretary General that starting from 1 July the Foreign Ministry of Belarus will assume the functions of the country’s coordinator of exhibitions and fairs.

The parties discussed Belarus’ participation in the forthcoming meeting of the BIE General Assembly that is due in Paris in June. Special attention was paid to the forthcoming selection of the host city for World EXPO 2020 slated for November.

The Bureau of International Expositions is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Paris. It is in charge of overseeing the calendar, the bidding, selection and the organization of world and international expos. Representatives of 164 states are among the members of the organization. Belarus became a full-fledged member of the organization in 1960.