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Belarus Supports UNESCO Convention on Cultural
Diversity
The Republic of Belarus voted on October 21, 2005 for the
adoption of the UNESCO Convention on cultural diversity. The Convention was
approved by the majority of UNESCO Member States: 148 of them supported the
Convention.
The United States was one of two countries opposing a new
convention on cultural diversity.
The General Conference of UNESCO approved on October 21, 2005
the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural
Expressions, as a result of a long process of maturation and two years of
intense negotiations.
The Convention reinforces the idea already included in the
UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, unanimously adopted in
2001, that cultural diversity must be considered as a "common heritage of
humanity", and its "defense as an ethical imperative, inseparable from
respect for human dignity."
The Convention seeks to reaffirm the links between culture,
development and dialogue and to create an innovative platform for
international cultural cooperation. It reaffirms the sovereign right of
States to elaborate cultural policies with a view "to protect and promote
the diversity of cultural expressions" and "to create the conditions for
cultures to flourish and to freely interact in a mutually beneficial
manner".
The Convention also envisages the rights and obligations of
Parties to include a series of policies and measures aimed at protecting and
promoting the diversity of cultural expressions, approaching creativity and
all it implies in the context of globalization, where diverse expressions
are circulated and made accessible to all via cultural goods and services.
To promote and cooperate internationally, especially in the
case of developing countries, the Convention determines the creation of an
International Fund for Cultural Diversity.
WHO Calls Vaccination Long-Term Investment and Praises
Belarus' Efforts
The World Health Organization (WHO) believes vaccination
expenses may be called long-term investments and recognizes Belarus’
achievements in prevention of epidemics, WHO European Regional Advisor
Nedret Emiroglu, told a news conference last Thursday. The conference was
dedicated to the European Week of Vaccination in Belarus.
“Vaccination is an effective means to keep people healthy; we
consider vaccination to be a long-term investment in the development of the
country. We are glad Belarus has achieved so much in this sector,” she said.
Vaccination of thousands of people costs Belarus about $1
million, while it costs $132 to treat one patient. As for bird flue,
Belarusian veterinary inspection banned imports of poultry products from the
countries that were hit by the disease. Besides, the ministry adopted
several regulatory documents to prevent the advance of the epidemic. Belarus
has enhanced border control starting October 14, 2005 in order not to allow
bird flue in Belarus.
Belarus and Ukraine to Boost Cooperation
Prime Minister of Ukraine Yury Yekhanurov paid official visit
to Belarus last week.
During the visit the Prime Minister of Ukraine met with the
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
Alexander Lukashenko stated that Belarus is satisfied with
mutual relations with Ukraine even though there are some issues to be
resolved. “Our countries and our peoples are very close, and we will always
be ready for concessions for the sake of our future. We will always aim at
mutually beneficial decisions,” the President said. The President also
appreciated the trade and economic relations between the two countries.
“Mutual trade has never been better. In January-September 2005 we almost
reached $1.2 billion,” Alexander Lukashenko said adding that mutual trade
might reach $1.5 billion in 2005.
In turn, Yury Yekhanurov conveyed greetings from Ukraine’s
President Viktor Yuschenko to the President of Belarus and said he hoped the
meeting of the two presidents would take place this year.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine Yury Yekhanurov also met with
Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky.
Among many others, the parties discussed issues of
cooperation in energy, transport and trade fields, as well as of simplified
travel conditions for the staff of the Chernobyl nuclear power station in
the light of the Shelter project, which Ukraine plans to launch soon, and
issues regarding a preparation work for the highest level meeting.
After the meeting Sergei Sidorsky stated that the governments
of Belarus and Ukraine plan to facilitate mutual trade to boost it to $2
billion a year and added “I believe mutual trade may reach $2 billion soon,
as there are not only intentions and prospects, but also package agreements
between the countries”.
Finance Minister of Belarus Nikolai Korbut told that Belarus
hopes to settle the issue of the $134 million debt of Ukrainian companies to
their Belarusian partners soon. The debt emerged as a result of the
disintegration of the Soviet ruble zone in 1992. The issue was considered
during the meeting of the prime-ministers. The parties agreed that the debt
could be repaid by supplies of Ukrainian goods and services to Belarus.
During the visit the parties also signed several
intergovernmental documents, including the deal on preferences for economic
entities and the protocol on simplified visa regime for citizens of border
areas.
Belarus and Russia to Implement Mutual Project in
Pharmaceutical Industry
Minsk-based company Minskintercaps, the only producer of
pharmaceuticals in hard and soft gelatin capsules in Belarus, and Russia’
Belgorod-based Veropharm plan to launch joint production of medicines in
November.
Minskintercaps, established in 1996, is one of the CIS’
leading producers of pharmaceuticals. It is based in the free economic zone
Minsk. It makes medicines to treat cardiovascular diseases, spasmolytics,
hepatoprotectors, antihistaminic and vitamin complexes, food additives, etc.
The Belarusian company will be packing the pharmaceuticals
developed by the Russian partner. Veropharm specializes in producing generic
drugs. The company owns a certified production unit, but has no packaging
facilities. The Russian producer chose Minskintercaps because of its
equipment.
Among the major buyers of Minskintercaps products are Russia,
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Moldavia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and
Armenia.
Belarus and China to Implement Mutual Project in Energy
Field
A Chinese delegation discussed last week with Belarusian
power engineers in Minsk the participation of the Chinese side in the
upgrade of the Minsk-based power co-generation plant TETS-2 worth an
estimated $60 million.
As for the soft loan that Belarus may receive from China to
upgrade TETS-2, the contract may be signed in December during the visit of a
Belarusian governmental delegation to China.
The Belarusian side plans to provide about a half of the
required investments from the loan. The remaining investments are to be
provided from the Energy Ministry’s own funds.
The project is part of the state program aimed to upgrade key
assets of the sector, encourage energy-saving and increase the share of
domestic fuels for 2006-2010.
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