It is necessary to intensify the inter-parliamentary cooperation to develop economic relations between Belarus and Azerbaijan, chairman of the permanent commission for international affairs and ties with the CIS of the Chamber of Representatives Vadim Popov told BelTA.
According to him, "not long ago Azerbaijan kept away from cooperation with the CIS member states". In late 2006 - early 2007, Belarusian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians started intensifying cooperation. A working inter-parliamentary group was set up. However, its work is not efficient enough. "The Azerbaijani party is not active enough, as for the Belarusian deputies, they are ready and open for more intensive cooperation. In the near future we expect them to make steps forward," Vadim Popov noted.
The economic partnership dictates signing of new agreements which should be submitted for consideration of the two parliaments. Without active participation of deputies these issues will take a lot of time to be settled. There is also a need for a relevant legal system to ensure work of joint ventures, the official noted.
Vadim Popov highlighted, "it is necessary to start activity in all directions". The most promising projects are those dealing with the fuel-energy branch and Belarus' participation in oil extraction in Azerbaijan. The political decision to support these projects has already been made. "It means that there are no obstacles for businessmen to carry out the projects," the chairman of the parliamentary commission added.