Opinions & Interviews

OSCE ready for closer cooperation with Belarus

MINSK, 29 April (BelTA) – The OSCE is ready for closer cooperation with Belarus, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) George Tsereteli told the media after his meeting with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko on 29 April, BelTA has learned.

“We are ready for closer cooperation with Belarus. The OSCE has a wide range of tools to resolve conflicts, promote economic development, provide aid and support in reforming electoral and other laws or conducting democratic reforms,” George Tsereteli said.

During the meeting the parties talked over the regional agenda with the focus on the security situation and economic development of states.

“When we talk about economic development, we need to understand that it is necessary to create conditions in which people will be able to live and develop, maintain their families. For economic prosperity we need peace in the region and collaboration. Unfortunately, we can see a lot of long-running conflicts around us. If we do not address security issues, it will be difficult for us to move further,” the OSCE PA president said.

The parties also discussed the OSCE PA International Conference of the Silk Road Support Group in Minsk which George Tsereteli is attending.

The OSCE PA Silk Road Support Group was set up at the 26th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk in 2017. It unites 24 member states. The group plays a role of a platform to promote mutually beneficial economic and trade ties, in particular through promoting connectivity and developing transport corridors, transport and trade facilitation measures, promoting free and secure movement of persons, goods, services and investments.

“This is a wonderful initiative which covers infrastructure development. Every state can find something interesting in this project. Of course, everyone should look to their national interests, but cooperation within this great initiative is also beneficial,” he said.

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