Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 November (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to support Serbia’s proposals regarding promising projects in various fields at the government level, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said during the extended meeting with Serbia President Tomislav Nikolic in Minsk on 19 November, BelTA has learned.

In particular, Belarus is ready to implement joint construction, machine building, wood processing, agricultural, and food projects with Serbia.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that there is a positive example of Serbia’s investing in the Belarusian economy. In particular, this pertains to the successful project to build the complex Mayak Minska (Minsk Lighthouse) and the recently initiated project Minsk Mir.

At the same time, the President of Belarus stressed that the promotion of cooperation projects is “a two-way road”. “We count on the similar support of Belarusian investment projects in Serbia,” Alexander Lukashenko said and added that this issue has been discussed during the one-on-one meeting.

The Belarusian head of state stressed that the contacts between the regions of the two countries are increasingly vibrant. He noted with satisfaction that all oblast capitals of Belarus have already concluded twin-town and partnership agreements with Serbian towns. The President underlined that these agreements should rely on the economic foundation, i.e. regional authorities should do their best to promote economic projects. Vitebsk and Nis, Brest and Subotica signed agreements in 2015. “Centuries-old cultural ties, our Slavonic unity, the similarity of historical fates are the strong foundation for the development of cooperation at the level of regional authorities, and for the enhancement of people’s diplomacy,” the Belarusian leader believes.

According to the Belarusian President, humanitarian cooperation, including in culture, education and sport, is an important component of bilateral interaction which helps enhance trust and unity between the two nations. Alexander Lukashenko believes that the sides should do their best to step up efforts in this field.