Andreichenko: Belarus is ready for cooperation based on mutual respect

Belarus remains committed to cooperation on the principles of mutually respectful dialogue,  Chairman of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko said at the final meeting of the 8th session of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the seventh convocation, BelTA has learned.

“During the session, we consistently explained to our Western colleagues Belarus’ commitment to promoting trade and economic cooperation, the value of parliamentary diplomacy, the harmfulness of sanctions for the world economy,” Vladimir Andreichenko said. “Unfortunately, the collective West is not yet receptive to our reasoning. We see its determination to isolate us, to block the channels of communication. However, confrontation is not our way. Belarus is always ready for a constructive, equal and mutually respectful dialogue. Therefore, we will continue communicating with everyone, persistently promoting peaceful foreign policy initiatives of the Belarusian head of state,” he said.

The speaker emphasized that Belarusian MPs should communicate this position on all international platforms: “We have many friends who realistically assess international developments and are ready to expand cooperation with our country. An example of this is cooperation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union.”

“Interaction through the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement also seems promising. Belarusian parliamentarians are taking part in the work of this forum in the capital of Azerbaijan. We should also intensify cooperation with the ASEAN IPA, the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino) and the Pan-African Parliament. We should make the most of parliamentary diplomacy in relations with China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East,” Vladimir Andreichenko added.

According to him, considerable groundwork has been laid in cooperation with India, and it should be used as a springboard to explore cooperation opportunities in all areas of mutual interest: “Our immediate plans include holding online meetings with parliamentarians from Vietnam, Thailand and Cuba. The working group on cooperation with the parliament of Iran will visit Tehran in July. There are good opportunities to expand inter-parliamentary contacts through the recently established working groups in the parliaments of Bulgaria, Venezuela, Mexico.