Opinions & Interviews

MOSCOW, 30 June (BelTA) – The Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia plays an increasingly important role in the integration of the two countries, Chairperson of the Federation Council of Russia’s Federal Assembly Valentina Matviyenko said at the opening of the plenary session of the fourth edition of the forum that is running in Moscow, BelTA has learned.

Valentina Matviyenko noted that Belarus and Russia have established effective cooperation in all areas. “Belarus is Russia’s main partner in the CIS,” she said.

Valentina Matviyenko pointed out that Belarus and Russia pay special attention to interregional cooperation. Almost all the constituent entities of the Russian Federation have direct ties with Belarus. Sixty-eight delegations of Russian regions visited Belarus last year.

At the same time, the speaker emphasized that it is necessary to discuss not only achievements in bilateral cooperation, but also the problems that arise. Valentina Matviyenko said that the trade between Belarus and Russia declined last year. “Even though the results of the first quarter of 2017 give us reason for optimism, the situation is still not as good as we want it to be,” she added.

Valentina Matviyenko also pointed out that dozens of agreements have been signed since the first Forum of Regions. She said that it is necessary to review the status of their implementation, and if there are any problems, to find their cause.