BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

03/07/2007

Belarus celebrates Independence Day

Belarus' ambassador to Viet Nam, Alexander Kutselai, spoke with Viet Nam News on the occasion of his country's Independence Day today.

How will Independence Day be celebrated this year in Belarus?

Today Belarus will celebrate our annual Independence Day. Some 16 years back, Belarus became a sovereign state.

Independence Day in Belarus, celebrated every July 3, is known as the day the republic's capital, Minsk, was liberated from fascism.

In the fight for our freedom, Belarus lost one-third of its population. National fairs and concerts will be held throughout the country as veterans of the Great Patriotic War are honoured.

President Alexander Lukashenko took part in the physical culture and sports holiday dedicated to the Independence Day. The capital's Victors Avenue was the setting for a roller ski relay and children's performances.

Today is also special because President Lukashenko, also commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, will preside over the parade of the Minsk garrison.

Around 2 million citizens and special guests will take part in the celebration. Almost 350,000 youths will entertain the large crowd with a series of musical performances as part of the Celebrating Belarus Music Festival.

How would you evaluate co-operation between Viet Nam and Belarus since the two countries set up diplomatic ties 15 years ago?

Belarus attaches special importance to the development of relations with Viet Nam. Belarus and Viet Nam enjoy friendly and constructive co-operation in all spheres.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in January 1992, a number of bilateral visits at various levels have taken place, including our president's official visit here in 1997. The visit gave our nations an important impetus to further develop a legal framework to strengthen comprehensive bilateral relations. Belarus and Viet Nam follow similar approaches towards international and regional issues and co-operate closely in international organisations.

Belarus at a glance

Area: 207,600 sq.km

Population: Over 9.7 million

Capital: Minsk

Language: Belarusian, Russian

Currency: Belarus ruble

National Flag: Red and green strips, a vertical red and white ornamental pattern.

Belarus is interested in further development on a large-scale legal basis in terms of bilateral relations in order to create favourable conditions to enhance mutually beneficial co-operation in various spheres. Over 40 agreements between Belarus and Viet Nam have been inked already.

Co-operation between Viet Nam and Belarus has resulted in many achievements. On December 27, 1991, Viet Nam recognised the independence of Belarus and a month later diplomatic relations between the two countries were established opening a new era in the history of our relations.

A solid legislative basis of bilateral relations has also been formed. The large-scale Treaty on Friendship and Co-operation signed in April of 1997 has become the main document regulating bilateral relations. Over the last 10 years, relations have been characterised by intensive political dialogue with visits at the highest levels being the principal focal points.

Viet Nam and Belarus are traditional trade and economic partners, as well.

One of our priorities is to promote the close interaction of the two foreign affairs ministries. Inter-regional relations play an important role in the development of bilateral co-operation. An agreement on friendly relations and co-operation between Ha Noi and Minsk was signed by Prime Minister S Sidorsky during his visit to Viet Nam. Vietnamese mayors are also expected to visit Minsk in September.

Trade and economic co-operation between the two countries is a major element too. Belarus exports fertilisers, tractors, trucks, tires, bearings and more to Viet Nam. The basic direction of co-operation between our countries in the near future is the establishment of assembly lines for Belarusian machinery in Viet Nam.

Belarus is preparing to expand co-operation with Viet Nam in oil, gas and petrochemical industries too.

Will President Lukashenko visit again after his most recent trip was postponed? How will such a visit help boost bilateral ties between the two countries?

Viet Nam is a friend of Belarus and we sincerely wish to develop and keep such relations between our countries. We have positive political relations between our countries, leaders, parliaments, ministries and regions.

Absolutely, these kinds of meetings play an important role in this process.

As of now, our president is planning to come to Viet Nam in the first half of 2008.

The upcoming visit will likely strengthen the political and economic relations between our countries, including the expansion of a legal basis regarding our relations and the support of new ways to co-operate at an inter-state level.

During the visit, our delegation will discuss the strategic programme for our countries in the 2008-2010 period. The primary intent is to speed up work in all directions of co-operation, with particular emphasis on trade and economics, to make sure mutual trade will amount to over US$100 million.

The main aspects of our two-way ties are trade and economic co-operation. Our economies are complementary and our companies do not compete with each other. Even the distance between our countries is not detrimental to the active development of mutual relations.

In your opinion, what can Viet Nam and Belarus do to develop bilateral co-operation in trade and investment?

Considering the increasing competition from developing countries in our markets and globalisation, we need to intensify ties between our countries, i.e. change our direction and develop co-operative links via joint-projects between our countries and enterprises.

Some prospective projects in the field of scientific and technical co-operation are being realised now. They include the creation of a design centre related to mechanical engineering; the construction of assembly lines to manufacture Belarus engines; knowledge exchanges in the field of oil and gas exploration and technological transfers in various areas pertaining to the national economy.

Our efforts will concentrate in the electronic, medical, automotive and agricultural processing industries.

Participation of enterprises from both countries in large investment projects is also planned. This direction must change the structure of our co-operation to ensure we continue to work together in a mutually advantageous way. - VNS

Source:

http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=01COM030707