Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 8 June (BelTA) – We need to have a common Union State visa, Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia Valentina Matviyenko said at the plenary meeting of the 3rd Belarus-Russia Forum of Regions in Minsk on 8 June, BelTA has learned.

“This is especially important for promoting joint tourist routes in international markets around the places associated with the history of the Great Patriotic War, other interesting historical cultural routes. We should not delay this decision. It is under discussion. The Russian Federation has made such a proposal. We believe that the introduction of such a visa will be a big boost for deepening the integration of Russia and Belarus, increasing the number of foreign tourist arrivals” Valentina Matviyenko said.

She also believes that Belarus and Russia need to strengthen interregional cooperation in tourism. “We pin great hopes on this industry as every 11th workplace in the world is created in the tourism industry. Belarus is one of the ten most popular destinations among Russians. In general, Russian tourists account for 60% and 70% of the tourist flow to Belarus,” Valentina Matviyenko said.

“The better we know each other's countries, the stronger our friendship and interaction is,” Valentina Matviyenko said when speaking of mutual tourism.