MINSK, 1 November (BelTA) – The Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus approved the ratification of Belarus-Georgia intergovernmental agreement on mutual visa-free trips for the citizens of the two countries on 31 October, BelTA has learned.
Belarus' Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Evgeny Shestakov noted that the intergovernmental agreement was signed in Tbilisi on 22 March 2018 during the official visit of the President of Belarus to Georgia and in accordance with his Decree No.113 of 21 March “On the draft international agreement”. This document provides for visa-free entry and stay of citizens of Belarus and Georgia on the territory of the signatories for the period not exceeding 90 days in a calendar year from the first day of the entry.
According to the deputy minister, the diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 6 January 1994. Diplomatic missions successfully operate in both the states. Belarusian-Georgian contacts at the supreme and high levels have been steadily developing. Belarus actively cooperates with Georgia within the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the World Tourism Organization, the Eastern Partnership initiative, other international organizations and venues. The legal framework of international relations is based on more than 40 international legal documents.
“In January-August 2018, the export of Belarusian products to Georgia amounted to almost $41 million. The import of Georgian goods made up $14 million. Belarus' major exports include railway cars, milk and dairy products, trucks, medicines, furniture, sausages. Belarus imports Georgian mineral water, grape wines, alcoholic beverages, oil products, and nuts,” the diplomat stressed.
The two countries have also launched projects in the manufacturing sector. “In March, a plant was set up in Tbilisi to assemble Belarusian elevators. Work continues to set up a plant to assemble small MTZ tractors in Batumi. The two states are in talks to launch joint production of medicines,” said Evgeny Shestakov.
