MINSK, 24 May (BelTA) – The number of joint economic projects between Belarus and Cuba is clearly insufficient, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of Belarus' National Assembly Mikhail Myasnikovich said as he met with First Vice President of the Council of State, the Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez on 24 May, BelTA has learned.
Mikhail Myasnikovich welcomed the Cuban guest in the Belarusian Parliament. He stated that Belarus has always been an active supporter of Cuba in the international arena and has always been in favor of the development of bilateral cooperation. Meanwhile, the key task today is to step up economic cooperation. According to the Chairman of the Council of the Republic, the number of joint economic projects is clearly insufficient. “This is largely constrained by the solvency problems of Cuban enterprises and balance of payments deficit in Belarus. In this regard, we need to act together to attract foreign investment, and seek financial schemes of cooperation. Our country, for example, aims to develop small and medium-sized business, promote privatization of state-owned property, work with partners of the Eurasian Economic Union,” he said.
The Belarusian side is open to dialogue and is ready to pay careful attention to the wishes and proposals of Cuban partners, Mikhail Myasnikovich stressed. He lauded the active work of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Belarus Gerardo Suarez Alvarez.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko, who took part in the talks, expressed gratitude for the warm and friendly relations Belarus and Cuba enjoy. In his words, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has reiterated on many occasions that Belarus' policy towards the strengthening of strategic partnership with Cuba remains unchanged, with MPs playing the vital role in it. Vladimir Andreichenko emphasized fruitful bilateral cooperation in international organizations, UN organizations, the Inter-Parliamentary Union where the parties can meet and exchange opinions.
According to the Chairman of the House of Representatives, Belarus supports the so-called Cuban resolution on the necessity to end the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba. “Here, our working group on cooperation with your parliament has been closely cooperating in adopting new statements. We are happy to see that the relations between Cuba and the United States are improving,” said Vladimir Andreichenko.
Vladimir Andreichenko conveyed greetings to Chairman of the National Assembly of the People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez and thanked him for the invitation to visit the country. The Speaker stressed that he could not come to Cuba due to a tight schedule. He assured the Cuban official that the issue would remain on the agenda of the Belarusian parliament of the new convocation.
Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez said that the two countries are going through an important period in the development of relations which are mutually beneficial and strategic.
