Events

GRODNO, 23 July (BelTA) – Grodno Oblast of Belarus and Poland will expand cooperation in logistics, tourism and culture. The matter was discussed at a meeting between Grodno Oblast Governor Vladimir Kravtsov and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Poland to Belarus Artur Michalski on 23 July, BelTA informs.

It was noted at the meeting that Poland is one of Grodno Oblast’s key economic partners, which only goes behind Russia in terms of trade. Grodno Oblast is home to about 100 different companies with Polish capital.

“We have intention to continue such cooperation. We develop cultural and other ties. 14 districts of Grodno Oblast have agreements with 20 Polish regions. Regular meetings and visits are held within the framework of each one of them,” Vladimir Kravtsov said. It helps implement joint projects in the cross-border cooperation program Poland-Belarus-Ukraine. In particular, Through Tyzenhauz Roads project has been approved to connect Grodno and Polish Sokolka by an international cycling route. Apart from that, an ancient building in the center of Grodno will be restored, with Belarus’ investment at €1.2 million.

The parties need to use more actively the joint tourism potential of Augustow Canal which draws lots of tourists. An increase in the number of tourists will promote the development of infrastructure. The work is underway to include bike routes on the Belarusian part of the canal into the international network.

“Indeed, Grodno Oblast and Poland have many things that unite them. This potential should be used. All relations, including those in economy, start with an introduction. In order to know each other better, we need to visit each other more often, travel more. For this purpose we need to continue the work aimed at facilitating border crossing,” Artur Michalski said.

The logistic potential of the neighboring countries both in railway transport and also road is far from being fully used. The capabilities of road transport will increase with the completion of the project to reconstruct M6 motorway.

Among other areas of cooperation mentioned during the meeting were green economy, culture. In Grodno Oblast there are a lot of sites and memorable places associated with the people famous both in Belarus and in Poland. They could become points of attraction of tourists.