National News

Sergeyenko: Belarus is ready to cooperate with ASEAN nations in many areas

Belarus is willing to cooperate with ASEAN countries across the widest range of areas, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Igor Sergeyenko said during a dialogue session with parliamentary delegations representing member states of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Vientiane, Laos. The session was held under the theme “The Role of Parliaments in Enhancing Connectivity and Inclusive Growth of ASEAN”, BelTA has learned.

“Today, Belarus is a dynamically developing country with an open export-oriented economy, a solid manufacturing industry, well-developed services sector and agriculture. We are among the world leaders in the per capita export of IT services. We are actively involved in regional integration processes within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, the Eurasian Economic Union and the CIS. Belarus is interested in developing close cooperation between the EAEU and ASEAN, as it will help exchange best practices and respond to emerging challenges in various areas, including trade, transport, and the digital economy. We are ready to cooperate with ASEAN nations across the widest range of areas, such as information and communication technologies, smart cities, electric and unmanned transport, thereby strengthening connectivity in the region,” the speaker said.

In view of instability of global markets, climate change and population growth in the ASEAN region, the topic of food security is of exceptional importance for the region, the speaker emphasized. “As a major exporter of potash fertilizers, dairy and meat products, and agricultural machinery, Belarus confirms its commitment to long-term cooperation in the food sector with partners from Southeast Asia,” he said.

“In general, the Republic of Belarus is interested in deepening multifaceted   cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Belarusian parliamentarians are ready to share their expertise and knowledge with counterparts from ASEAN countries on various aspects of socio-economic policy and jointly explore promising avenues of interaction with an ultimate goal of strengthening stability, inclusive growth and prosperity of our countries and peoples,” Igor Sergeyenko added.

A reminder, the Belarusian parliamentary delegation headed by Chairman of the House of Representatives Igor Sergeyenko is paying an official visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic. 

The Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (AIPA) was established in 1977. Currently, ASEAN has 10 member states: Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. The AIPA has 23 observers. The parliament of Belarus received the observer status in September 2011 in Phnom Penh (Kingdom of Cambodia) at the 32nd AIPA General Assembly. This gave Belarus an access to a platform for a permanent dialogue with the member countries of the organization on economic, political, social and humanitarian issues. Belarusian MPs regularly participate in events organized by the AIPA, including the annual AIPA General Assembly.

Photos courtesy of the press service of the House of Representatives