MINSK, 9 October (BelTA) – Belarus would like to strengthen relations with Germany through new investment and innovative projects, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko said as he met with German Ambassador to Belarus Manfred Huterer in Minsk on 9 October, BelTA has learned.
According to the speaker, Germany is an important trade and economic partner of Belarus. “We are interested in further development of these relations. We believe that we can strengthen our relations through new investment and innovative projects,” Vladimir Andreichenko said. Investment and innovations are the most important areas for Belarus, and the country seeks to develop relations with Germany in these avenues. The head of the House of Representatives clarified that the matter is about setting up joint-stock companies, joint ventures and also enterprises with 100% German capital. “There are a lot of them, more than 300,” he speaker recalled. “Creating jobs, raising living standards and wages are among the most important tasks for Belarus. Both investment and also export growth are important for us,” he noted.
The chairman of the House of Representatives hailed bilateral relations as steadily developing. “The Belarusian parliament will continue its efforts to strengthen trust between our countries,” Vladimir Andreichenko said. In his words, Germany is a driving force behind the European economy and plays an important role in the EU and worldwide. Keeping this in mind, Belarus always takes Germany's stance into account, the speaker said.
The two countries have been steadily developing inter-parliamentary relations, as well. Cooperation in the international arena, and first of all in the OSCE PA, has become more efficient. Vladimir Andreichenko also touched upon humanitarian contacts in education, culture and science. A lot has already been done in these sectors. “As for tourism, in 2016 Belarus welcomed some 2,500 tourists from Germany. In 2018, the number of German visitors increased to some 4,000. Belarus' new visa rules also played their role. It is important that we have been expanding contacts between people, regions, ministries and agencies,” Vladimir Andreichenko said.
