Events

MINSK, 2 October (BelTA) – The events timed to the opening of Belarus’ honorary consulate in Bordeaux, France took place on 29-30 September, BelTA learned from the Belarusian embassy in France.

Ambassador of Belarus to France Pavel Latushko handed over Belarus’ national flag and emblem to Honorary Consul Andrei Shevchenko in a festive atmosphere. He will conduct his activities in the consular district including the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, the third largest in terms of France’s GDP.

Pavel Latushko met with Vice Mayor of Bordeaux Didier Cazabonne who is in charge of international cooperation. During the meeting the ambassador introduced Belarus’ first honorary consul in Bordeaux.

"The main goals of Belarus’ honorary consul are to promote economic cooperation through contacts with the business communities of the two countries, implement joint projects in culture and education and provide consular and legal assistance to Belarusian citizens," Pavel Latushko said. The priority project of the honorary consulate is to discuss the export of OAO Neman glass factory products and mineral water of Belarusian companies.

The Сhateau Grand Barrail, a historic building of the wine-growing region Saint-Emilion, hosted a formal reception on the occasion of the opening of the honorary consulate. The ceremony was attended by over 150 guests including famous statesmen and political figures, representatives of business communities, consular corps of the city of Bordeaux and representatives of the Belarusian diaspora. In his speech, Pavel Latushko stressed that Belarus is interested in mutually beneficial relations with France and noted the development of the interregional Belarus-France cooperation was a priority.

As many as 54 general and honorary consulates including the honorary consulates of Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Hungary, Denmark, Italy, Lithuania, Peru, Chile, Switzerland and Japan, operate in Bordeaux.