MINSK, 8 December (BelTA) – Belarus is interested in cooperation with Kenya in various fields. Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova mentioned it as she met with a delegation of the Kenyan parliament led by Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya Amason Jeffah Kingi, BelTA has learned.
Natalya Kochanova said: “Our country builds friendly, kind relations with all the countries that are intent on constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation. Our country’s president often underlines that future belongs to the African continent. We hope that your visit will inscribe a new page into parliamentary cooperation between our countries, that it will be primarily geared towards fulfilling the agreements reached at the top level.”
The head of the upper chamber of the Belarusian parliament noted that interparliamentary interaction is becoming particularly significant in the modern world. “Certainly, we are sincerely glad that such kind and friendly relations evolve between the parliamentarians of our countries,” the speaker said.
At the same time in order to build cooperation across the board – both in economic affairs and humanitarian affairs – parliamentarians should get actively involved in the accomplishment of formulated tasks, Natalya Kochanova stressed. Belarusian MPs are primarily intent on further cooperation within the framework of international parliamentary organizations such as the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network, the Pan-African Parliament. By the way, the Belarusian parliament has an observer status in the Pan-African Parliament.
Natalya Kochanova pointed out that interparliamentary interaction is aimed at cooperation in all spheres of life and thanked the Kenyan side for participation in observing the presidential election in Belarus and for an objective evaluation.
She stressed: “Our country is ready to offer technologies in the sphere of agribusiness and manufacturing sector to Kenya. Belarus sells food that is known for its high quality to over 110 countries across the globe. We are leaders in shipments of potash fertilizers and understand the importance of food security for every country. Apart from that, we are ready to offer cooperation in humanitarian affairs, in education. We have plenty of programs on training foreign specialists.”
The chairwoman of the Council of the Republic was confident it is necessary to increase mutual trade turnover, which indicators are not so big for now.
Natalya Kochanova noted that the program of the Kenyan colleague’s stay in Belarus is organized in a way as to get him familiar with the operation of Belarusian enterprises. In particular, the program includes visits to Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ trademark), OAO Agrokombinat Dzerzhinskiy, the Hi-Tech Park, the Minsk applied science center for surgery, transplantology, and hematology.
“We expect that your visit and tours of our enterprises will give an impulse to bilateral cooperation. We can cooperate in a very tight and fruitful manner. We have productive examples of interaction with African countries. Programs are being implemented with Zimbabwe and Nigeria. We have launched a program on supplying agricultural enterprises in Zimbabwe with agricultural machines. And this cooperation is mutually beneficial,” she continued.
The chairwoman of the Council of the Republic also mentioned the interest of the two countries in interregional cooperation and noted Belarus was ready to welcome delegations from various regions of Kenya in order to sign cooperation agreements later on. She also drew attention to the Council of the Republic’s role in promoting interregional contacts, including with Russia and Uzbekistan. “We may build interesting projects with Kenya that will contribute to cooperation between our nations and countries,” Natalya Kochanova stated.
She also talked about education programs for foreign students. “We would be glad to see Kenyan students in our educational institutions. About 1,600 students from African countries attend Belarusian educational institutions today. Certainly, we would be grateful for interaction with regard to cooperation between youth organizations. A youth council operates under the Council of the Republic. I am convinced that it is a very promising area,” Natalya Kochanova noted.
The senator concluded: “We are ready to cooperate in all the areas that determine the development of our countries. Your visit is a bright page in interparliamentary interaction between our countries.”
Natalya Kochanova and Amason Jeffah Kingi signed a memorandum of cooperation as a result of the negotiations.
Follow us on:
