Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 17 November (BelTA) – Russia was and remains a brotherly state for Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus said at the press conference for the Russian regional mass media on 17 November, BelTA has learned.

The head of state remarked that the press conference for the representatives of the Russian regional mass media has become a good tradition. “The main goal of such meetings is the rapprochement of our nations, the possibility to provide objective information about Belarus,” Alexander Lukashenko said. “The Russian Federation was and remains not only a strategic partner but also a brotherly state for us.”

The President remarked that regional cooperation is a cornerstone of Belarus-Russia integration. “It was reaffirmed once again during the forum of regions of the two countries in Minsk in June 2016. Back then, the specialized exposition, just like the previous one in Sochi, showcased the practical results of our joint work,” the Belarusian leader said. “Thanks to this regional cooperation, we are having this meeting today and can say that we are brotherly nations. The regions of the Russian Federation saved the brotherhood of the two Slavonic states.”

The participants of the forum of regions in Minsk signed a record number of agreements, commercial contracts to the tune of $300 million. The participation of the presidents of Belarus and Russia made this event even more important. In their remarks the two leaders pointed out the significance of interregional ties and agreed to do their best to develop them.

“That is why we regularly invite you, the representatives of the Russian regional mass media, to Belarus. We want you to provide an objective picture of our state to people living in the Volga region, the Ural region, Siberia, Far East, Kuban – all regions of your huge country. The development of regional cooperation largely depends on what you will see here and on how you will tell your audience about it,” Alexander Lukashenko explained. “This cooperation has a good dynamics today. Dozens of delegations of Russian regions led by the governors of these regions visit Belarus every year. There are many reciprocal visits.”

The head of state remarked that more than 8,000 Belarusian and Russian enterprises maintain industrial cooperation. There are over 70 joint ventures making Belarusian equipment in Russia. Russian companies also implement a number of large-scale projects in Belarus. For example, they are involved in the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant.

An Omsk-based enterprise is going to produce technical carbon in Mogilev Oblast. A group of Russian companies has launched the manufacture of waterproof layers in Gomel Oblast. Leningrad Oblast enterprises take part in the projects to set up a logistics center and a cattle breeding complex in Belarus.