MINSK, 10 December (BelTA) – Belarus' Transport and Communications Minister Aleksei Avramenko held a working meeting with Sweden's Minister of Infrastructure Tomas Eneroth in Stockholm on 9 December, BelTA learned from the Belarusian embassy in Sweden.
It was the first official meeting of the heads of the two ministries.
According to Aleksei Avramenko, there are no unresolved issues in the transport sector. Belarus maintains close and mutually beneficial economic relations with the Scandinavian countries. There are opportunities for further cooperation.
“A comprehensive analysis of the bilateral transport and logistics infrastructure shows that we have significant reserves for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation. It is very important for us to develop transport links between Sweden and Belarus, which in turn will boost trade between the two countries,” said the Belarusian minister.
The parties discussed cooperation in the road transport sector. The Belarusian side stressed that Belarus and Sweden have enough quotas for international haulage of goods. The two countries are considering the possibility of moving to a new stage of cooperation to ensure more open competition in the international road transport market and to eliminate administrative barriers. The new rules envisage liberalization of international road haulage and a permit-free transportation system.
“Belarus is actively working in this area. Relevant agreements have already been signed with Switzerland and Moldova. Another one will be signed with Ukraine by the end of the year,” the diplomatic mission said.
In this regard, it was proposed to hold another meeting of the Mixed Commission on International Road Transport in 2020 in Belarus. For his part, Thomas Eneroth confirmed that the commission will convene and that experts of the two departments will be able to discuss the Belarusian initiative.
The issue regarding the intermodal transport routes between Europe and Asia was also raised. Today, Belarusian companies export goods to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia by rail, which then go to Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland through the Baltic ports. In this regard, Aleksei Avramenko said: "I would like to confirm our interest in joint implementation of projects to ramp up cargo traffic and trade. Belarusian Railways is ready to offer the Swedish business a railway service on the route China - Europe - China with the use of the Kolyadichi terminal.”
The Belarusian delegation offered to hold a trilateral meeting with Latvian colleagues and discuss possible mechanisms of mutually beneficial cooperation in developing the international transport corridor North-South taking into account the development of cargo routes along East - West – East.
In general, the parties confirmed their interest in working out joint points of cooperation and also readiness to implement projects in new areas of cooperation.
Photo courtesy of Belarus' embassy in Sweden
