MINSK, 23 May (BelTA) – Cooperation prospects, including interregional contacts, were discussed at the meeting of Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich with outgoing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Belarus Peter Dettmar, BelTA learned from the press service of the Council of the Republic.
It was noted during the meeting that Belarus pays much attention to building up regional contacts. Interregional cooperation between the two countries has gained momentum, however it lags behind the potential. Another priority is cooperation in investment. Belarus would like to intensify business contacts and set up new joint ventures with Germany.
Mikhail Myasnikovich welcomed positive trends in bilateral cooperation. The two countries are expanding interparliamentary contacts, boosting trade and economic cooperation, and launching new joint projects. “This is the result of the ongoing engagement with united Europe and Germany in particular,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said.
The parties discussed ways to step up contacts between the youth. Mikhail Myasnikovich underlined that this will be good ‘investment' into the future. Peter Dettmar upheld this idea and informed that in the run-up to the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership, Germany is paying close attention to these matters. “I am convinced that we will be able to make progress in this field,” he said.
The ambassador said he is very optimistic about cooperation prospects between the two countries. “It is time for Europeans to start viewing Belarus as a sovereign state with its history, its past, present and future. Western Europe, including Germany, still has to work on it. At the same time, Germany's attitude to Belarus differs from that of four years ago,” he noted.
The parties also discussed Minsk's preparations for the 2nd European Games. The ambassador noted that a German parliamentary delegation will come to Belarus to take part in the opening ceremony.
