At the official invitation of the Belarussian side, on May 6, 2014, in Minsk has been held the meeting between H. E. Mr. Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus and the representatives of the International Fund for Cooperation and Partnership of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea (BSCSIF), Ms. Ismail Safi, President, Mr. Eldar Hasanov, Secretary General, Mr. Vitali Buzdugan and Mr. Aleksandr Zaytsev, members representing Belarus in BSCSIF Board of Directors. At the meeting was discussed the issue regarding the implementation of joint projects in high-tech industries. BSCSIF proposes to implement an innovative project that includes subprojects in electronics (equipment production), energy (production of nano-carbon fibers for transmission lines), road construction (lightweight building construction), and manufacture of engines on hydrogen fuel.
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus is very interested in the development of high-tech knowledge-intensive industries. “For the ongoing five-year period and the future one, we have identified as the main direction of development the support on science and cutting-edge technology. Of course, we are interested to lay perspectives in areas such as nano-electronics, storage and accumulation of electric energy and others. In this area, we want to cooperate with you”, said the President, addressing the delegation of BSCSIF.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the International Fund for Cooperation and Partnership of the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea is a very solid organization, which includes 28 countries. „This is a strong association, in particular in the field of science and innovative research and, I believe, finance field as well, which, in the future, and maybe even now, will have a significant influence on the development of regional cooperation. If the Fund can prove his worthiness, we can make a significant contribution to the development of regional cooperation and the application of new technologies”, said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The Head of the Republic of Belarus has given assurances that he is ready to provide all possible support to the work of the Fund in his country. „I guarantee full support for your Fund. You know my policy in this regard, we are completely transparent and honest. We would like to see your intentions realized”, he said.
President Aleksandr Lukashenko said that he already gave appropriate instructions to create the necessary conditions for the activities of the branch BSCSIF in Minsk and that he is satisfied with the level of activity of representatives of Belarus within BSCSIF.
During the meeting, the Belarusian side expressed its willingness to establish close contact between the International Foundation, known as an experienced think-tank, and the State Committee on Science and Technology, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and universities, with the purpose of cooperation in the field of innovative and nano-technologies. As well, considering existing fruitful cooperation in the economic field between Turkey and Belarus and the created circumstances for the activity of the Turkish companies, President Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested to Turkey and other members countries of BSCSIF to participate in the creation of innovative industrial park in his own country.
In his turn, Ismail Safi thanked the President of Belarus for the invitation, hospitality, for the conditions offered for the activities of the branch BSCSIF in Minsk and the perspective provided of active cooperation. He drew particular attention to the geographical location of Belarus, located in a strategic point in the region, connecting Asia and Europe. Ismail Safi expressed his hope that the implementation of joint projects of Belarus and BSCSIF will give an additional impetus to the development of the Belarusian-Turkish cooperation.
The President of BSCSIF emphasized the special historical role played by Romania and Azerbaijan in establishing the International Fund, and that BSCSIF has the task of becoming an analytical center of a «think tank» type. He expressed his appreciation for the outstanding involvement of Mr. Vitaly Buzdugan and Aleksandr Zaytsev. He also informed President Lukashenko about the decision of BSCSIF Board of Directors, adopted on March 9, 2014, to establish a branch BSCSIF in Minsk, Belarus.
Regarding the activities of the Fund, Ismail Safi informed that BSCSIF established partnerships and actively cooperates with well-known universities, research centers and academia, influential non-governmental organizations from the organization’s member countries and will continue to make efforts toward strengthening its activities in this direction. At the end of the meeting, Ismail Safi congratulated President Lukashenko about organizing in Belarus the Ice Hockey World Championship.
During the visit of BSCSIF delegation in Minsk, meetings have been held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Economy, State Committee for Science and Technology, National Academy of Sciences, Olympic Committee of Belarus, as well as with officials of Belarus, involved in the implementation of the innovative technological project, and interested researchers.
Another subject discussed on the occasion of this visit relates to the training of national experts in universities of Belarus, with the aim of their further participation in national, regional and international projects conducted by BSCSIF; details of the next meeting of BSCSIF Board of Directors to be held in Minsk in October 2014 were as well brought to table of discussions.
During this visit, the delegation of BSCSIF visited and got acquainted with the activities of the BSCSIF branch in Belarus.