Opinions & Interviews

VITEBSK, 15 July (BelTA) – Belarus-Russia economic cooperation should be based on long-term projects, BelTA learned from State Secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia Grigory Rapota in Vitebsk on 15 July.

Grigory Rapota also mentioned possible avenues of long-term interregional cooperation for Vitebsk Oblast. “As a rule, during meetings with the governor we talk about mechanical engineering matters as well as flax, which we have not been able to move as far as a Union State program due to one reason or another. We will continue working on it. If we cannot do it as part of the Union State program, we will still find ways for flax manufacturers of Belarus and Russia to work together,” said the State Secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. In his words, agriculture as a whole has good cooperation prospects. It is particularly topical for Vitebsk Oblast due to the region’s profitable geographical location (it borders on Russia).

The State Secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia underlined that as far as cooperation is concerned, long-range projects and endeavors are the key. “We would like to bring about long-term projects. The lack of a coordinated industrial policy is the stumbling block for us. Work on it proceeds but we cannot say yet we’ve been able to come up with some clear-cut solutions that we can present before the society. Yet we don’t stop,” said the State Secretary. He also noted that the day before he had visited the Vitebsk-based enterprise Display, which maintains active cooperation with Russian manufacturers and scientists.

Union State Day is held today as part of the international art festival Slavonic Bazaar in Vitebsk. Grigory Rapota met with Vitebsk Oblast Governor Nikolai Sherstnev, took part in a press conference and in the ceremony of laying flowers at the memorial in Victory Square. He also visited the Velikoletchansky orphanage. While in Vitebsk Oblast Grigory Rapota is also expected to visit the Ilya Repin memorial estate Zdravnevo where a plein air for young Belarusian and Russian painters has been arranged.

This evening the stage of the Summer Amphitheater in Vitebsk will host a gala concert of Belarusian and Russian pop stars followed by the A. Alexandrov Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian army, by Larisa Dolina, Nadezhda Babkina, Vitold Petrovsky, Kseniya Dezhneva, the Syabry music band, Nikolai Skorikov, and other performers.