Moldovan PM says Moldova-Belarus relations based on friendship, concrete economic projects

Chisinau, 19 April /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Pavel Filip and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, on an official visit to Moldova, at a today’s meeting, discussed the turning to good account of the bilateral cooperation potential. The officials emphasized the cordial, as well as constructive character of the bilateral ties, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.

The PM said that the relations between the two states are based on friendship, trust, but, at the same time, also on concrete, pragmatic projects, some of which have been already carried out and the others are to be developed. “The friendship is tested during years and it shows itself not only when one is doing well, but also when getting into critical situations. When it was difficult for Moldova, Belarus was by our side, offering sales markets for Moldovan goods, especially for wines. I want to assure you that we value this friendship and you can rely on us,” Pavel Filip stressed. 

Aleksandr Lukashenko also said that special feelings connected him with Moldova, which he had visited more times. “I always recall Moldova with much warmth and when close my eyes, I see a big blooming orchard where people live, there are nice houses – these are my memories,” the Belarusian president said. The official noted that it was easy for Belarus to cooperate with Moldova, as the two countries do not compete with each other. “You produce all that we buy, we produce what you need. Therefore, we should not compete, but agree on mutual supplies of necessary products,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.    

The prime minister said that the Moldovan citizens were highly appreciating the Belarusian technology, which provides quality and reasonable price. In the last five years, 120 trolley busses have been assembled with pieces from Belarus. The first wireless trolley bus was launched and certified in Chisinau.    

Following the successful experience of assembling Belarusian trolley buses, decision-makers also consider possibility of joint assembling of busses, which will be by up to 15 per cent cheaper. For the time being, the Chisinau city hall ruled to buy 50 busses for the capital, but it needs 300 ones.  

The prime minister invited Belarusian companies to participate in tenders for restoring roads in Moldova, given that Belarus is well-known for the quality of its roads.

The sides also stressed the opportuneness to inaugurate a direct air flight Chisinau-Minsk, which would help develop tourism.  

The promotion of a project on the import of medical equipment for diagnosis from Belarus, as well as the launch of the joint production of medicines, due to be cheaper, is of special importance for Moldova.

Pavel Filip and Aleksandr Lukashenko reconfirmed willingness to hold a meeting of the Moldovan-Belarusian commercial and economic inter-governmental commission in Chisinau in next June. This commission holds meetings twice a year and often meetings yield results. The turnovers also show this. Thus, the trade exchanges between the two states reached 225 million dollars in 2017, by almost ten per cent more against 2016. Presently, 90 companies with Belarusian capital work in Moldova.   

Pavel Filip and Aleksandr Lukashenko voiced interest also in the development of cultural and inter-human relations, in the context of the inauguration of a bust to Belarusian scholar Francysk Skaryna in Chisinau.