Opinions & Interviews

MOGILEV, 31 March (BelTA) – Ties between twinned cities help expand Belarus-Russia cooperation, BelTA learned from Viktor Guminsky, First Deputy Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, CIS First Deputy Executive Secretary, during the plenary session of the 9^th meeting of sister cities of Belarus and Russia in Mogilev.

Viktor Guminsky said that noble goals of the twinned cities movement match the spirit of the international agreements, which have been adopted and are being implemented in the Commonwealth of Independent States. The noble goals also allow fully utilizing the human potential in interstate relations. In his opinion, ties between twinned cities help make part of the interaction process a large number of potential partners representing various spheres of activities in Belarus and Russia.

After celebrating its 25^th anniversary, the Commonwealth of Independent States is on the lookout for the best ways to adapt to modern reality. The Commonwealth’s approaches now demonstrate intensity and deeper integration. This is why the CIS Executive Committee particularly appreciates the experience of twinned cities, including the establishment of mutually beneficial professional and interpersonal contacts between interested organizations and institutions, noted Viktor Guminsky.

Representatives of cities from CIS states took part in a regular meeting of sister cities from Belarus and Russia in Mogilev on 30-31 March. Members of the CIS Executive Committee delegation made speeches during three panel sessions. The forum focused on the development and implementation of joint economic, investment and infrastructure projects, programs on cooperation in culture, healthcare, and sport, and other matters. The forum took place under the aegis of the Belarusian public organization Sister Cities, which was established in 1995 and operates within the framework of the Belarusian Society for Friendship and Cultural Ties with Foreign Countries.

The meetings of sister cities have a long history. The first meeting took place in Gomel in 1998. Since then various Russian and Belarusian cities have enjoyed the honor of hosting the forum. The first agreement on twinning two cities — Podolsk, Moscow Oblast and Borisov, Minsk Oblast — was signed in 1992.