8 February 2008
Nordic Council considers Belarus as natural part of European family, Norwegian parliamentarian says
The Nordic Council considers Belarus as a natural part of the European family, Dagfinn Hoybraten, the head of Nordic Council’s delegation, a Norwegian parliamentarian and a member of the Presidium of the Nordic Council, noted during a session held in the Council of the Republic of Belarus’ National Assembly on February 8. “Our dream is to see Belarus as a full-fledged member of the Council of Europe,” he highlighted. The politician also noted that the Council joins parliamentarians of five northern countries. The Council cooperates with Russia and the Baltic states and estimates Belarus as its neighboring state. During the current visit, the delegation would like to get familiar with the situation in Belarus. In turn, Nikolai Cherginets, the Chairman of the International Affairs and National Security Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, noted that “Belarus is interested in establishing the friendly relations as with the Nordic Council all-in-all so with each its country apart”. We have a lot of areas of common interest and they allow us to settle many problems in economic, social and ecological spheres, the Belarusian official added. The senator also noted that “we are always glad to see the people who would like to know Belarus according to their personal experience but not due to the stories of oppositional politicians”. “When some European officials try to build relations with Belarus putting forwarding demands and ultimatums we ask the question “Dear Sirs, maybe it is better to communicate directly?” We stand for the cooperation with PACE,” Nikolai Cherginets noted. According to him, such cooperation will allow the Belarusian and European parliamentarians to share experience of the key issues and to settle many problems together.