MINSK, 28 June (BelTA) – It is important that people living in the most faraway regions of Russia know more about Belarus, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in his address to the participants of the 10th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia that is underway in Ufa, BelTA informs.
According to the president, it is symbolic that the anniversary edition of the forum is taking place in Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the region with a rich history and culture, located in the very heart of Eurasia. “I think the Russian side was right when it decided to expand the geography of the forum and arrange it in different regions of the Russian Federation. It helps make the most of the potential of these regions, showcase their economic capabilities. It is important for us that Russians living thousands of kilometers away from our country know more about Belarus, see clearly the prospects of Belarus-Russia partnership,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
He emphasized that Belarus and Russia laid a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation. This foundation includes trade offices of Belarusian companies operating in various regions of the Russian Federation, as well as retail chains that sell Belarusian products that are much loved by Russian consumers. Many important facilities on the territory of Russia were built by Belarusian construction workers.
“Belarusian goods and competencies are in demand in Russia's large cities, industrial towns, in the regions, including remote ones, beyond the Urals, in Siberia, Khabarovsk Territory, in Kamchatka,” the Belarusian leader noted. “Bashkortostan is no exception. We have long-standing, very constructive contacts with Ufa at the level of companies, organizations, public associations, scientists, art and culture workers, and education. Our relations have a history of several decades. To be more precise, it has not been interrupted since the days of the Soviet Union,” the Belarusian head of state said.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the parties complement each other in the supply of raw materials, component parts, industrial products. They address the common task of promoting import substitution and technological sovereignty.
“Yet, the greatest assets are human relations, a common history, culture, mindset, a traditional view of the family, respect for elders, great prospects and support for young people. Therefore, even in the most difficult times, Belarus and Russia kept promoting inter-regional contacts. It helped us survive amidst the collapse of statehood and the interruption of established economic ties after the disintegration of a great country,” the head of state noted.
