Belarus is ready to implement new projects with Moldova

Belarus is ready to implement new projects with Moldova. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on July 16 during negotiations in Minsk with President of Moldova Nicolae Timofti, BelTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.

Opening the meeting, the head of the Belarusian state emphasized that Belarus and Moldova have no problems in their relations. "God grant that we have such relations with everyone on all issues," said the Belarusian leader.

He noted the high level of trade turnover of $400 million, which the countries achieved by the end of last year. "This is accounted trade turnover. I think we are definitely reaching half a billion in trade turnover," said the head of the Belarusian state. "I could never have imagined that we could reach such a height." Nevertheless, according to the President of Belarus, the two countries have reserves for increasing mutual trade volumes.

Regarding Moldova's signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union, Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the Belarusian side does not dramatize the situation with Moldova's orientation towards the European Union and does not politicize the fact of signing this document. "We perceive this as a given," said the Belarusian leader.

In the opinion of the President of Belarus, in any situation, one should look for ways to use it for the benefit of both countries.

"We are grateful to you, despite the fact that, perhaps, somewhere in support of your allies, in the form of certain promises, you had to support the European Union, the USA, there was never a case where it was against Belarus. We highly appreciate this," said the head of the Belarusian state. In his opinion, this speaks of the solidity of bilateral relations, of a high level of trust. "You can be sure that we have never done anything bad to Moldova and will not do so. We will only develop our cooperation in a way that benefits our peoples," assured the President of Belarus.

"We respect the development course you have chosen and perceive it as a given," said the head of the Belarusian state. "We adhere to a pragmatic position on this issue."

"At the same time, I believe that we need to clearly understand what our cooperation will look like in the new realities, as both Moldova and Belarus have obligations to partners in integration associations," noted Alexander Lukashenko. In his opinion, with a verified and balanced approach, it is possible not only to minimize risks for bilateral trade but also to leverage the advantages of multidirectional integration, becoming a kind of bridge between the two integration structures.

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus and Moldova have no unresolved issues or topics closed for discussion. "I am absolutely convinced that by approaching pragmatically, as any issues arise, we can calmly negotiate them and resolve any problems," said the Belarusian leader.

According to him, an active political dialogue, built on the principles of equality, contributes to the further deepening of Belarusian-Moldovan cooperation. The President of Belarus noted that the countries constructively interact on the international stage.

"Belarus has always treated issues sensitive to Moldova with understanding. We expect that the Moldovan side will continue to adhere to similar partnership approaches, as has been the case so far," said the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko noted with satisfaction the mutual interest of the two countries in establishing economic partnership. According to him, the parties are working exclusively pragmatically in this direction. Moldova is Belarus's fourth-largest trading partner among the CIS countries. Belarus supplies a wide range of goods in demand in the Moldovan market. These include automotive and tractor equipment, petrochemical products, medicines, refrigerators, gas stoves, light industry goods, and dairy products.

The President of Belarus touched upon the implementation of cooperation projects. Belarusian trolleybuses and tractors are produced in Moldova, and a project for the assembly production of MAZ buses is being worked out. Belarusian manufacturers are ready to increase production volumes at existing facilities. In the opinion of the head of the Belarusian state, there is an opportunity for a systematic increase in the localization percentage in order to bring jointly produced products to the markets of neighboring European countries. "Such projects are beneficial to both sides. We count on their support from the leadership of Moldova," said the Belarusian leader.

Given the developed industrial and transport and logistics infrastructure, Belarus can become a platform for processing, storing, and promoting Moldovan goods in the Eurasian Economic Union market, believes the head of the Belarusian state.

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that in this regard, Belarus is open to proposals from the Moldovan side. "The main thing is that this product is of high quality and entrepreneurs come to us with an open heart and soul! No bribes, no fees! And quality! If you win a competition, a tender – everything will be honest and fair. I promised this to the President of Moldova," he said.

At the same time, there is interest in organizing joint processing of Moldovan fruit and vegetable products in Belarus. "Good fruits and vegetables ripen on Moldovan soil, high-quality wines, cognacs, and other products are produced. And we buy them from you in large volumes," noted the Belarusian leader. In 2014 alone, 42% of the volume of Moldovan wine exports and about 25% of fruit and vegetable products were accounted for by Belarus.

Belarus is also ready to share its developments in areas where it has significant experience and resources, particularly in road and infrastructure construction, the erection of dairy complexes, and other agricultural facilities. According to the head of the Belarusian state, the parties can work more actively in these areas if Moldovan partners are interested.

The President of Belarus believes that to establish ties between economic entities, it is also necessary to use the potential of interaction between chambers of commerce and industry and other structures that unite business circles. In Alexander Lukashenko's opinion, business forums should be held more often.

The head of the Belarusian state noted with satisfaction the high intensity of bilateral contacts in the humanitarian sphere – science, education, sports, and other areas. He believes that the next step in this direction will be the Days of Belarusian Culture in Moldova in the autumn of this year, and next year Belarus expects Moldovan cultural figures with a return visit.

"We have no hidden agendas. We are very open in our relations with our Moldovan friends. Our people are very good-natured, they have a very good attitude towards the Moldovan people," said the head of state.

The two countries have a foundation upon which to build bilateral relations, believes Aleksandr Lukashenko. He expressed confidence that following the current visit of the President of Moldova to Belarus, the countries will significantly enhance cooperation, although the current level is already quite high. "But there is something to strive for, there is room to grow, and we are determined to do so," emphasized the Belarusian leader.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that during the current visit, the Moldovan delegation has the opportunity not only to discuss the full spectrum of relations with the Belarusian side but also to visit modern high-tech enterprises and socio-cultural facilities. "I hope that what you have seen will be implemented in the near future through joint projects," said the Belarusian leader.

"We are ready to show you everything you wish. If you wish to have it in Moldova, we are ready to work together with you in Moldova to transfer our experience to the territory of friendly and close Moldova," emphasized the President of Belarus.

Following the negotiations, the presidents stated that a productive and substantive discussion had taken place.

The leaders of the two countries paid significant attention to finding new formats of interaction to develop bilateral trade and economic ties. According to the head of the Belarusian state, a promising area of cooperation is industrial cooperation, in all spheres of mutual interest, with joint products entering the markets of third countries, including the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union.

Belarus is ready to meet Moldova's needs for industrial and food products. In particular, the Belarusian side is prepared to supply machine-building and petrochemical products, construction materials, light industry goods, household appliances, medicines, and food products.

Furthermore, Belarus is interested in participating in projects to modernize Moldova's road and rail infrastructure and is ready to share its accumulated experience in industry, construction, agriculture, and other areas. "We have something to offer in these areas," emphasized the President of Belarus.

"Belarus and Moldova have no unresolved issues or closed topics for discussion," emphasized Aleksandr Lukashenko.

A number of documents were signed in the presence of the Presidents of Belarus and Moldova.

Specifically, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry of Belarus and the Ministry of Economy of Moldova on the implementation of a joint project to upgrade the passenger transport fleet in Moldova.

In addition, the Ministry of Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chisinau City Hall on the establishment of a joint venture in the capital of Moldova for the assembly of MAZ buses.

A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation and exchange of legal information was signed between the Supreme Court of Belarus and the Supreme Court of Justice of Moldova.

Among the signed documents are two protocols: the sixteenth meeting of the Belarusian-Moldovan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and the exchange of instruments of ratification of the treaty between Belarus and Moldova on the transfer of convicted persons to serve their sentences.

Documents aimed at developing interregional cooperation were also signed. These include an agreement on trade, economic, scientific, technical, educational, and cultural cooperation between the Minsk Regional Executive Committee and the Executive Committee of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia. Gagauzia signed a plan of measures for 2015-2017 with the Mogilev Regional Executive Committee to implement the agreement on trade, economic, and cultural cooperation.

News of Belarus (BELTA)