Opinions & Interviews

“Vitebsk Oblast is one of the regions with which Slovakia has been cooperating most successfully. Hopefully the relations will be developing in the same way in the future. We are preparing to take part in the Slavonic Bazaar Festival in Vitebsk and would like to give our relationship a new quality. We need to focus on investment projects, their practical implementation. So far we have seen projects and intentions. But there are issues with practical action,” Ambassador Jozef Migas said.

The diplomat emphasized that the parties should concentrate on the projects that will bring mutual benefits. “I believe that we should create joint ventures,” the Ambassador said urging to focus on innovative projects

The possible areas of cooperation include mechanical engineering and auto-industry, energy, woodworking, and pharmaceutics. Talking about the production of medicines, the diplomat noted that Slovakia was prepared to consider the options for trilateral cooperation. “If we find opportunities for cooperation, then let us work together: Cuba, Belarus, Slovakia,” the Ambassador suggested.

After the meeting in the regional administration, the diplomat visited Vitebskenergo to discuss the construction of hydroelectric power plants on the Western Dvina River. The Slovak diplomat is also set to visit OAO Vitebskdrev to discuss the possibility of starting deliveries to Slovakia.

Before 2015 the trade between Vitebsk Oblast and Slovakia made up $15-16 million. In 2015 it went down to $5 million (with export amounting to $800,000, import to $4.3 million), informed the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee.