MINSK, 8 December (BelTA) - Belarus and Kenya share friendly relations, and there are good prospects for the comprehensive development of Belarusian-Kenyan cooperation, Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya Amason Jeffah Kingi said during a meeting with Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly Natalya Kochanova in Minsk on 8 December, BelTA has learned.
He conveyed greetings from the Kenyan president, thanked for the development of Belarusian-Kenyan cooperation, and expressed hope for its expansion.
The guest noted that the visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Kenya in December 2023 had contributed to the interaction between the two states. In his opinion, the good contacts between the leaders and their efforts play a crucial role in revitalizing bilateral ties.
“These efforts are the guiding principle. For our cooperation to develop further, the parliaments of the two countries must interact. This is precisely why this visit has been organized,” Amason Jeffah Kingi said. “The actions and efforts undertaken by the legislative bodies (the Council of the Republic of Belarus and the Senate of Kenya) will serve as the foundation for strengthening cooperation. The main goal of the visit is to develop ties between the parliaments and enhance our work. We see potential in inter-parliamentary interaction.”
He also noted that the Kenyan side is interested not only in exchanging experiences. Among the promising areas, he mentioned cooperation on issues related to children and women. “We have the Association of Women Senators of Kenya and its mission is to advance solutions to women's issues. We would also like to develop cooperation between the parliaments on this topic too,” Amason Jeffah Kingi remarked.
The speaker of the Kenyan Senate recalled that a Kenyan delegation participated in observing the presidential elections in Belarus, which, in the view of the Kenyan side, were conducted in a transparent and democratic fashion.
Separately, Amason Jeffah Kingi emphasized the importance of mutually beneficial economic cooperation with Belarus for Kenya. He is confident that there are several areas in which business from both Belarus and Kenya would be interested in collaborating. The guest believes that the planned exchanges of business delegations will help the business communities of both countries to see firsthand and assess the existing potential for bilateral contacts.
“We have mineral resources, and this is another area where we can cooperate,” he said.
The speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya is confident that Kenya can serve as a gateway for Belarusian goods to the entire African market, especially given its land, sea, and air transportation links. Investments in Kenya automatically provide access to Africa's markets.
He also touched upon the topic of establishing direct air service between the capitals of the two states. “I am confident this issue will also be raised when our president visits your country,” the guest said. In his opinion, if a direct air service were to be launched, it would contribute to expanding economic cooperation as well, to the supply of Kenya's famous roses, among other things.
“The foundation of this visit, however, is the development of inter-parliamentary cooperation with Belarus,” Amason Jeffah Kingi summarized.
He conveyed greetings from the Kenyan president, thanked for the development of Belarusian-Kenyan cooperation, and expressed hope for its expansion.
The guest noted that the visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Kenya in December 2023 had contributed to the interaction between the two states. In his opinion, the good contacts between the leaders and their efforts play a crucial role in revitalizing bilateral ties.
“These efforts are the guiding principle. For our cooperation to develop further, the parliaments of the two countries must interact. This is precisely why this visit has been organized,” Amason Jeffah Kingi said. “The actions and efforts undertaken by the legislative bodies (the Council of the Republic of Belarus and the Senate of Kenya) will serve as the foundation for strengthening cooperation. The main goal of the visit is to develop ties between the parliaments and enhance our work. We see potential in inter-parliamentary interaction.”
He also noted that the Kenyan side is interested not only in exchanging experiences. Among the promising areas, he mentioned cooperation on issues related to children and women. “We have the Association of Women Senators of Kenya and its mission is to advance solutions to women's issues. We would also like to develop cooperation between the parliaments on this topic too,” Amason Jeffah Kingi remarked.
The speaker of the Kenyan Senate recalled that a Kenyan delegation participated in observing the presidential elections in Belarus, which, in the view of the Kenyan side, were conducted in a transparent and democratic fashion.
Separately, Amason Jeffah Kingi emphasized the importance of mutually beneficial economic cooperation with Belarus for Kenya. He is confident that there are several areas in which business from both Belarus and Kenya would be interested in collaborating. The guest believes that the planned exchanges of business delegations will help the business communities of both countries to see firsthand and assess the existing potential for bilateral contacts.
“We have mineral resources, and this is another area where we can cooperate,” he said.
The speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya is confident that Kenya can serve as a gateway for Belarusian goods to the entire African market, especially given its land, sea, and air transportation links. Investments in Kenya automatically provide access to Africa's markets.
He also touched upon the topic of establishing direct air service between the capitals of the two states. “I am confident this issue will also be raised when our president visits your country,” the guest said. In his opinion, if a direct air service were to be launched, it would contribute to expanding economic cooperation as well, to the supply of Kenya's famous roses, among other things.
The speaker of the Kenyan Senate spoke about the excellent tourism opportunities in Kenya and the importance of developing cooperation in this area with Belarus.
In conclusion, he stated: “It would be beneficial to draw up a roadmap for cooperation between Belarus and Kenya, outlining all areas of mutually beneficial collaboration. One of the pillars of this cooperation could be efforts to ensure food security in our country. Kenya can learn much from Belarus in this sector, including through the procurement of tractors and fertilizers. We hope that Belarus will also be able to build up the production of its goods within our country."
In conclusion, he stated: “It would be beneficial to draw up a roadmap for cooperation between Belarus and Kenya, outlining all areas of mutually beneficial collaboration. One of the pillars of this cooperation could be efforts to ensure food security in our country. Kenya can learn much from Belarus in this sector, including through the procurement of tractors and fertilizers. We hope that Belarus will also be able to build up the production of its goods within our country."
“The foundation of this visit, however, is the development of inter-parliamentary cooperation with Belarus,” Amason Jeffah Kingi summarized.
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