ROME: Belarus and Italy are considering the idea of establishing a business council. The proposal to set up the agency was made by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko during negotiations with Italy President Sergio Mattarella in Rome on 20 May, BelTA learned from Natalya Eismont, Press Secretary of the Belarus President, after the meeting.
According to the Belarus President, such a council could help resolve many issues in the interaction of business structures. In turn, the Italy President spoke in favor of the idea and noted it would be an excellent instrument for promoting cooperation in the sphere of business and for resolving various emerging issues.
It was noted during the meeting that both Belarus and Italy are interested in the advancement of multifaceted mutually beneficial cooperation. “Belarus will always be a donor of stability and decency with regard to Italy and the European Union as a whole,” stressed the Belarusian leader. Taking into account the strong interest of the Italian private sector in Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko assured of the readiness to act accordingly.
Belarus is particularly interested in Italy’s experience in setting up small and medium enterprises in various spheres, including information technologies, agriculture, manufacturing and processing of agricultural products, and other areas. It was noted that among other instruments these companies should be used to create a solid foundation for interstate interaction. The agenda of the meeting also included efforts to step up investment cooperation and set up Italy-owned enterprises in addition to joint ventures in Belarus.
“We are ready to provide all the necessary conditions for it,” said the Belarusian head of state. The possibility of creating an Italian industrial park in Brest was considered in the past. The sides agreed it is necessary to resume work on the project, for which implementation the Belarusian side will enable all conditions. There is indisputable interest of the Italian side in the implementation of this project and other ones considering Belarus’ membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. In essence, Belarus-made Italian goods will enjoy access to the entire Eurasian market.
The presidents agreed that for the sake of more effective cooperation in a number of areas it is necessary to improve the legal base, make it more fully-featured. Interaction in social affairs was also discussed by the heads of state. Alexander Lukashenko thanked Sergio Mattarella for Italian assistance with arranging recreation opportunities for Belarusian children. In turn, the Italian side thanked Belarus for constructive interaction in the adoption of children. The presidents also talked over topical items on the international agenda, including the situation in Ukraine. “Minsk is the land that promises hope for the resolution of this conflict,” said the Italy President.
On the whole, Alexander Lukashenko thanked the Italian side for the fact that Italy has always maintained a decent and reserved attitude towards Belarus. The Belarusian head of state invited Sergio Mattarella to visit Belarus at a time of his convenience. In turn, the Italy President thanked Alexander Lukashenko for the invitation and said he was pleased that Belarus and Italy had managed to maintain relations of constructive cooperation.
