Positive experience of Belarus' CEI presidency will open new page in cooperation

The positive experience of Belarus' presidency of the Central European Initiative (CEI) will open a new page in the cooperation between the participating countries, Irina Starovoitova, Chairperson of the Permanent Commission for Education, Science, Culture, and Social Development of the Council of the Republic, Head of the Delegation of Belarus' National Assembly to the CEI Parliamentary Dimension, told the media on 30 May.

“We hope that the positive experience of our country's presidency of the organization will open a new page in the interaction between the member states, strengthen cooperation and understanding between our nations,” Irina Starovoitova noted.

Belarus views the CEI as an effective platform for further parliamentary cooperation with the European community in relevant areas. Essentially, the objective is to intensify the already established ties in the field of economic development, science, technology, education, and sustainable development in general, Irina Starovoitova emphasized.

For his part, Sergei Rakhmanov, Chairman of the International Affairs and National Security Commission of the Council of the Republic, pointed out that Belarus is working actively in the international arena and participates in the organization of important high-level events. For instance, Belarus hosted a Bureau meeting of the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP) in 2016. In July 2017, the country will play host to the OSCE PA Annual Session, and it is currently hosting CEI events.

Sergei Rakhmanov emphasized that the Belarusian side is glad to preside over the CEI. The country is working to ensure proper organization of all the events. “We will work hard to ensure that our partners who have come to Belarus get impressions that will encourage them to continue their interaction with our country. The first ties that have been established indicate that the impressions are very good, and that the expectations of the CEI authorities are met,” Sergei Rakhmanov added.