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01 March 2018, 16:13

Belarusian and Israeli MPs agree to raise level of bilateral dialogue

MINSK, 1 March (BelTA) - Belarusian and Israeli MPs intend to take reciprocal steps to enhance the level of the inter-parliamentary dialogue. Relevant agreements were reached during the negotiations in Tel Aviv, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Embassy in Israel.

A delegation of the working group for the cooperation with the Israeli Parliament at the National Assembly of Belarus was on a visit in Israel on 26-28 February. The delegation was headed by Alexander Popkov, the chairman of the standing commission for regional policy and local self-government of Belarus' National Assembly. The program of the visit was a very eventful and included meetings with representatives of the political, business and public circles of the State of Israel.

Alexander Popkov and Olga Politiko, the vice chairperson of the standing commission on industry, fuel and energy complex, transport and communications at the House of Representatives, accompanied by Belarusian Ambassador Vladimir Skvortsov, visited the Knesset to hold negotiations with the delegation of the Interparliamentary Friendship League Israel-Belarus. The Belarusian MPs also met with Parliament Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein and Knesset director general Albert Saharovich.

During the discussion, the head of the Interparliamentary Friendship League Israel-Belarus, Knesset Vice Speaker Tali Ploskov expressed satisfaction with the level of th edialogue between the two countries' parliaments. Alexander Popkov and Tali Ploskov agreed that the development of cooperation between the legislative bodies is an important component of the Belarusian-Israeli relations covering a wide range of areas and based on the close interweaving of the historical fate of the Belarusian and Jewish peoples, deep interpersonal contacts in the present days.

It was noted that the parliaments of the two countries have the opportunity to assist in the implementation of joint projects in trade, economy, investment, tourism, culture and education. For example, Alexander Popkov suggested greater involvement of the interparliamentary friendship groups in order to enhance trade, economic and investment cooperation. Emphasis may be placed on the joint projects in the following areas: industrial and agriculture sectors, information technology, tourism, health and wellness. The MPs will recommend that their governments include these aspects in the agenda of the next meeting of the joint Belarusian-Israeli committee for trade and economic cooperation, which is scheduled to take place in Israel in May 2018.

When talking about the forthcoming meeting of the committee, Belarusian Ambassador Vladimir Skvortsov noted the importance of the participation of representatives of business from various sectors of the economy. After approval of the draft agenda, the parties can proceed to detailed elaboration of actions and promptly hold the sessions of the committee's national parts, said Ambassador Vladimir Skvortsov.

The parties shared experience in creating favorable conditions for investment projects, development of public-private partnership. Member of the Interparliamentary Friendship League, MP Yoel Razvozov suggested developing a so-called “umbrella” at the legislative level to guarantee security of investments.

Mentioning the Year of Native Land in Belarus in 2018, Alexander Popkov called upon Israeli nationals of the Belarusian descent to take an active part in the projects to preserve the historical landmarks. The head of the Belarusian delegation told the Israeli counterparts about the efforts invested by the Belarusian authorities to preserve the memory of the WWII victims. Alexander Popkov expressed the confidence that Israel will take part in the opening of the second stage of the Trostenets Memorial which is due to open in a few months.

The MPs also discussed the exchange of lawmaking practices.

Addressing the head of the Belarusian delegation, Yoel Edelstein noted a high level of partnership cooperation between the two parliaments. The opportunities for developing contacts between the secretariats of the parliaments of the two countries were considered during the talks of the Belarusian delegation with Albert Saharovich.

The Belarusian delegation discussed prospects for developing cooperation with the Israeli company BM Holdings in processing used motor oils in the Belarusian market. The parties also considered the possibility of attracting foreign investment in developing production facilities to process used tires and plastic waste.

The Belarusian delegation met with representatives of the Healthcare Center Save a Child's Heart at the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon to discuss cooperation with Belarus, including the exchange of surgeons.

Alexander Popkov visited one of the livestock farms in Netanya to get familiar with the application of technologies and equipment of Israel's SCR company that offers the best dairy farm management solutions. Representatives of the company discussed further prospects for cooperation with the MPs.

Olga Politiko visited the Innovation Authority of Israel which is responsible for strengthening the country's position in the global technology industry and supporting startup initiatives. The talks covered possible interaction of the organization with the stakeholders in Belarus.

Olga Politiko also held a meeting with Ashdod Vice Mayor Boris Giterman to talk over ways to expand cooperation between the Israeli city and its twin city Brest, Belarus.

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