News & Events in Belarus

SOCHI, 18 September (BelTA) – Regional cooperation is one of the key factors of promoting the sustainability of the national economies of Belarus and Russia, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the plenary meeting of the 2^nd forum of regions of Belarus and Russia on 18 September, BelTA has learned.

The Union State is a locomotive of the Eurasian Economic Union project, Alexander Lukashenko remarked. “There is no doubt that the new integration association will make an ample use of our achievements and the experience of regional cooperation. In fact, it is one of the key factors of promoting the sustainability of the national economies,” the Belarusian head of state said.

The Belarusian President emphasized that in spite of the difficulties related to the global crisis the contacts between the two countries have expanded significantly. For instance, in January-August 2015 36 regional delegations from Russia visited Belarus. Belarus’ representatives, in turn, visited 21 Russian regions. Such business contacts produce the economic effect in the implementation of joint projects.

Alexander Lukashenko reminded that he always tries to find time for the meetings with the delegations of Russian regions to discuss future plans. In H1 2015 the President met with the heads of eight Russian regions. “Such one-on-one meetings help highlight our achievements, reveal drawbacks and use the existing colossal potential,” he said.

Belarusian and Russian regions maintain productive cooperation in various industries. Belarusian products sell well in Russia. “High quality, affordable prices are Belarus’ competitive advantages. Our country is ready to increase the delivery of products in the future,” Alexander Lukashenko said. He also stressed that Belarus’ trade with Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tyumen Oblast, Smolensk Oblast and Moscow Oblast is bigger than the trade with many foreign countries.