MINSK, 9 December (BelTA) - Chairman of the Standing Commission on International Affairs and National Security of the Council of the Republic, member of the Standing Committee on Political Affairs and International Cooperation of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly Sergei Rachkov presided over a meeting of the working groups of the parliaments of Belarus and the Sultanate of Oman. The delegation of Oman was led by the head of the working group, Professor Saeed Mubarak Al Muharrami, BelTA learned from the press service of the upper house of Belarusian Parliament.
“Next year, our countries will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In this regard, establishing direct contacts to exchange experience and views on issues of mutual interest between the working groups of parliaments is particularly relevant,” Sergei Rachkov said.
During the meeting, Sergei Rachkov noted that Belarus highly appreciates friendly ties with the Sultanate of Oman. There are no disagreements and contradictions in politics between Belarus and Oman. The bilateral relations are of a trusting nature, with the parties holding similar views on current international issues.
The interaction in the international parliamentary organizations was discussed with the colleagues from Oman. The Belarusian senator expressed gratitude to the delegation of Oman for the support during the 143rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to prevent the inclusion of a resolution on Belarus as an emergency item on the agenda.
The participants of the meeting focused on the key aspects of trade and economic cooperation, including the establishment of a joint committee to implement decisions. On Belarus' initiative the work is underway to establish a joint Belarusian-Omani intergovernmental committee. This institutional body will become the main intergovernmental mechanism to coordinate cooperation between the two countries in all areas of mutual interest.
“We are interested in expanding trade and economic cooperation and are ready to work towards its further diversification. At the same time, we consider its development as a foundation for strengthening the entire spectrum of relations. We believe that the time has come to translate bilateral relations into practice. We should identify several priority areas of interaction that meet the national interests of both countries,” Sergei Rachkov stressed.
The MPs paid special attention to the support of tourism and the introduction of visa-free travel regulations between the two countries, development of healthcare cooperation and medical tourism, promotion of joint cultural events, scientific cooperation in universities and research institutes, student exchanges.
“We will continue increasing exports to Oman. Belarusian food products, engineering and high-tech goods are in demand there,” the senator told the media after the meeting.
Attending the meeting on Belarus' behalf were members of the working group Oleg Rummo, Inna Krachek, Svetlana Odintsova and Svetlana Shutova.
