VITEBSK, 3 September (BelTA) - The first (inaugural) meeting of the Interparliamentary Cooperation Commission between the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan took place in Vitebsk as part of the third Belarus-Uzbekistan Women's Business Forum on 3 September, BelTA has learned.
Leonid Zayats, Chairman of the Standing Commission on Regional Policy and Local Self-Government of the Council of the Republic, told the media that the parties will primarily discuss ways to ensure growth in trade. “We need to ensure at least $1 billion in trade between Belarus and Uzbekistan in a short period of time. In 2024, it amounted to nearly $600 million, up 18% year-on-year. The trend is positive, trade is growing,” he said. “There are issues that need to be resolved specifically at the level of our commission, for example, ensuring unimpeded access for Belarusian goods to the market of Uzbekistan. We want the same, especially for goods that are in short supply in our own production, such as dried fruits, citrus fruits, and other crops that our country needs.”
According to Leonid Zayats, the commission comprises experienced professionals who, through their efforts, will be able to ensure the further development of cooperation between the two countries. “Given that the Council of the Republic is a body of territorial representation, it is very important for us to have contacts with the regions of Uzbekistan. Therefore, we want to discuss bringing our regions closer together in terms of economic interaction. Both countries have great potential in this area,” he believes.
Although all regions of Belarus and the city of Minsk have signed cooperation agreements with regions of Uzbekistan, he is confident that there are still great prospects and new points of growth need to be found at the level of district administrations.
“We have close ongoing work between parliamentarians. Today, we are trying to somewhat harmonize our laws on local self-government to grant the authority that would facilitate the rapid establishment of joint ventures needed by both countries. I am confident that through our joint efforts, we will succeed in solving the task of increasing trade,” Leonid Zayats said.
Gulnora Marufova, Deputy Chairperson of the Commission for Assisting in Strengthening the Activities of Local Representative Bodies of State Power of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, praised friendly, close ties that have been built between Belarus and Uzbekistan. “Our relations have reached a strategic level. This is evidenced by our presidents’ meetings, which unlock potential for building parliamentary relations. Friendly relations have also developed between our peoples. We deeply respect and value the hardworking, friendly Belarusian people, who have endured a great deal,” she emphasized.
Previously, a friendship group operated between the two countries' parliaments, but now an interparliamentary commission has been established that will work on a broader and more serious range of issues, including legislation, regional development, and socio-economic development. “We want to expand the framework of our cooperation,” said Gulnora Marufova.
Photos by Aleksandr Khitrov
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