Promoting ties with Africa seen as priority for Belarus’ Parliament

Africa is one of the most important areas of inter-parliamentary cooperation for Belarus, said Sergei Rachkov, Chairman of the Standing Commission on International Affairs of the House of Representatives, BelTA learned.

The Standing Commission on International Affairs of the House of Representatives convened for a meeting on 6 August. The MPs discussed key issues of developing inter-parliamentary cooperation with African nations in line with Belarus’ foreign policy objectives. The agenda also included the bill “On ratification of the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Republic of Uganda on the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports.” Sergei Rachkov noted that during a recent meeting with heads of Belarus’ diplomatic missions, the Belarusian president once again emphasized the need to step up cooperation with African countries.

“Specific goals have been set. In terms of trade and economic cooperation, we aim to boost Belarusian exports to Africa to $1-1.5 billion. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies have achieved certain results in advancing Belarus’ interests in Africa in recent years. Contacts with African nations are also expanding at the parliamentary level. The National Assembly has established working groups on cooperation with the parliaments of Algeria, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa. We are actively exchanging visits and holding meetings,” Sergei Rachkov said.

Following the discussion, the commission decided to recommend that the House of Representatives include the bill “On ratification of the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Republic of Uganda on the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports” in the agenda of the third session. Under the agreement, citizens of the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Uganda holding diplomatic and service passports shall be exempt from visa requirements for entry, stay, exit or transit through the territory of the other party for a period not exceeding 30 days from the date of entry. However, the total duration of their stay in the territory of the other country must not exceed 90 days within one year.

The ratification and implementation of this international agreement will help strengthen bilateral cooperation in political, trade, economic, humanitarian and other fields.