Opinions & Interviews

MOGILEV, 31 March (BelTA) – The twinning movement of Belarus and Russia promotes consolidated cooperation in all fields, Boris Batura, the chairman of the Belarusian organization Twin Cities, said during the plenary session of the 9th meeting of sister cities and towns of Belarus and Russia on 31 March, BelTA has learned.

“We are glad to see here our old and new friends from Russia, and also our colleagues from the Twin Cities International Association led by Professor Sergei Paramonov, a long-standing participant of the twinning movement. It is also important for us to see Russian Ambassador Alexander Surikov among the participants. On behalf of our organization, I would like to thank him for the constant attention to the Belarusian-Russian interregional cooperation and twinning movement,” Boris Batura said.

He noted that the session was a special one as it marked the Day of Unity of Peoples of Belarus and Russia. “Today we have a good reason to remind ourselves about our special genetic link, mental affinity, and our common Slavic and Christian roots,” Boris Batura added.

He pointed out that the meeting was a good opportunity to address global challenges and risks and respond to those who question the friendship between the people of Belarus and Russia. “Every time has its challenges, and our time is no exception. Some differences and misunderstandings arise, and not only between economic entities. This certainly affects the microclimate of our relations. However, our peoples have something that we call shared values and a moral basis that includes centuries of consistent mutual support and cultural and spiritual links. To protect this basis, we must overcome all challenges, settle all differences, including with the help of the diplomacy of cities and towns,” Boris Batura said.

“The interstate cooperation remains a reliable foundation of our relations,” the official added.