MINSK, 22 May (BelTA) – The implementation of the neighborhood policy will contribute to the progress on the key Eastern Partnership objectives, 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 at the meeting of the CORLEAP Bureau in Minsk on 22 May, BelTA has learned.
Alexander Popkov noted that the meeting provides a timely opportunity to discuss the joint contribution of the countries to the current European agenda in the run-up to the Eastern Partnership Summit that will take place in November 2017. “Practical interaction among the EU member states and the Eastern Partnership countries is becoming important as never before. Belarus is interested in normal good-neighborly relations. We are in favor of strengthening the Eastern Partnership and hope that the implementation of the neighborhood policy will help achieve progress on the key EaP objectives, increase stability and security, and promote successful economic development of our countries,” Alexander Popkov said.
He believes that when developing proposals for the Eastern Partnership Summit, CORLEAP should focus on specific tasks in the key areas of economic cooperation, including the development of infrastructure and cooperation between regions.
Alexander Popkov noted that modern Belarus pursues an open multi-vector cooperation policy and develops good-neighborly relations with other countries. “Belarus has become a kind of international venue for discussing the prospects of the joint activities of different countries in trade, transport, power engineering, green economy, and innovations,” the MP said.
Belarus chose social and economic development as its priority for the period of co-chairing CORLEAP. The country's focus includes issues of social protection of the population and energy efficiency. “Energy efficiency is a key item on the agenda of today's meeting. All countries face some kind of energy-related issues, and we believe that developing a unified approach to these issues is key to the security of any state,” Alexander Popkov stressed. He pointed out that Belarus has a consolidated government policy in energy conservation, energy efficiency, and the use of renewable energy that fully supports the sustainable energy policy.
The local authorities also actively initiate measures to promote energy conservation and energy efficiency. “Our country has caught up with developed nations with similar climate conditions, such as Canada and Finland, in terms of energy intensity. The advanced practices developed in other countries are important source of ideas and optimal solutions for us. Belarus is conducting a number of activities to ensure effective operation of this sector. We have gained considerable experience at the local level and are ready to share it with our colleagues,” Alexander Popkov added.
For his part, Markku Markkula (Finland), President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), emphasized that the CoR is ready to cooperate with the EaP countries. “The development of our cooperation allows us to build mutually beneficial relations and strengthen international confidence, which is necessary to attract investment,” he said.
Markku Markkula also noted that Belarus will have local elections in early 2018. He pointed out that municipal authorities are the closest to the citizens and deal with the pressing problems of the society. Markku Markkula believes that regional authorities should be granted the necessary powers at their level. “We are ready to provide assistance to ensure the necessary political support. Besides, we are ready to involve our institutional partners to promote practical implementation of the initiatives,” he said.
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.
