Opinions & Interviews

GRODNO, 27 September (BelTA) – Interregional contacts remain the foundation for Belarus-Russia cooperation, Consul General of Russia in Brest Nikita Matkovsky said at the meeting of heads of official delegations and guests of honor of the Euroregion Neman 2013 trade show and the international investment forum on 27 September, BelTA has learnt.

According to the diplomat, trade and economic relations between Russia and Belarus are special. Cooperation is fostered on different levels, from the federal level to the level of enterprises. However, the foundation for the bilateral ties is built upon interregional cooperation, Nikita Matkovsky said. Regional cooperation helps understand better the demand and customer needs. Belarus sets the pace here, the diplomat noted.

Apart from the Embassy in Moscow, Belarus runs about ten diplomatic missions in Russian regions. Embassy staff acts as a link at economic events that are not always attended by businessmen, the Consul General said.

“The international investment forum in Grodno is among the most anticipated business events in Belarusian regions for Russians. I think that the forum will provide a lot of information that will foster economic cooperation. The participants of the forum will also put forward numerous proposals that can translate into concrete projects with Russian producers and industrialists,” Nikita Matkovsky said.

First Deputy Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko said that Russia and Belarus are now working on five major integration projects involving industry giants of the two countries. However, they keep their focus on interregional contacts in a bid to identify new cooperation prospects and promote economic growth, Vladimir Semashko said.