MINSK, 22 May (BelTA) – Belarus is interested in expanding the dialogue with the local and regional authorities of the European Union member states and the Eastern Partnership countries, Alexander Popkov, Chairman of the Council of the Republic's Permanent Commission on Regional Policy and Local Government co-chairing the Bureau of the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP), said following the meeting of the CORLEAP Bureau in Minsk on 22 May, BelTA has learned.
“I would like to reiterate the interest of the Belarusian side in expanding the dialogue and constructive cooperation with the local and regional authorities of the European Union member states and the Eastern Partnership countries,” Alexander Popkov said.
He noted that the meeting in Minsk considered, inter alia, the key points of the recommendations for the fifth Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in Brussels in November. When developing the recommendations, the emphasis was placed on identifying specific tasks in the field of economic cooperation, development of infrastructure, and interregional collaboration. Special attention was paid to the role of local and regional authorities in achieving energy efficiency. “The relevance of the matter is driven, first of all, by climate change that arouses serious concerns among the international community. Enhancing energy efficiency is one of the economically effective methods to tackle the issue as it helps reduce emissions, boost energy security, raise competitiveness, and improve access to energy,” Alexander Popkov emphasized.
Local government bodies are believed to play an important role in this context, as they are able to change the rules and norms by introducing new trends and innovative technologies, and reducing emissions of carbon dioxide in their regions. “Therefore, we should aim for closer cooperation of regional and local authorities with the public sector to ensure a greater impact on public opinion, and also to mobilize private and public resources to address the issues of climate, environment, and energy efficiency,” Alexander Popkov believes. He noted that energy efficiency should be the main focus of the political report that will be used in CORLEAP recommendations for the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit.
The participants of the meeting considered ways to boost economic growth, employment, and the development of tourism, and increase the role of local authorities in addressing relevant issues. Alexander Popkov said that the meeting provided a timely opportunity to discuss the potential contribution of the countries to the current European agenda in the run-up to the Eastern Partnership Summit.
CORLEAP has been facilitating cooperation between the Eastern Partnership countries and the European Committee of the Regions in the field of local self-government since 2011. Belarus is represented in CORLEAP by the Council for Cooperation of Local Self-Government Bodies at the Council of the Republic.
CORLEAP is co-chaired by the President of the Committee of the Regions and a representative from the EaP countries elected by CORLEAP members each year. Belarus is co-chairing the body from October 2016 to September 2017. CORLEAP comprises 18 representatives from the EaP countries (three from each country) and 18 representatives of the European Committee of the Regions.
