Alexander Subbotin: there are many areas for cooperation between Belarus and the Smolensk region, and they are being successfully implemented
There are many areas for cooperation between Belarus and the Smolensk region, and they are already being successfully implemented. This opinion was shared with journalists by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, after a meeting of the working group on cooperation between Belarus and the Smolensk region of Russia.
The head of the northern region noted that Smolensk and Vitebsk are close neighbors, with a distance of over 100 km between them. "Many residents (of the region. - Ed. BELTA), Vitebsk residents, either have relatives there, or work, travel for cultural ties, or for shopping to Smolensk. The same applies to the Smolensk region: residents come here. This cannot but please. This is an indicator that we are united and interesting to each other. And, despite the official interaction, at this most, perhaps, correct and fundamental level - among people - it is only strengthening," Alexander Subbotin emphasized.
He specified the areas in which the Vitebsk region is currently most interested in cooperation with the Smolensk region - export, trade in food products, and supplies of products from the flax mill. "An agreement has already been reached today that we will open a large complex store (of the Orsha Flax Mill) in the center of Smolensk. This idea arose suddenly and requires, of course, deeper consideration, but nevertheless, it is supported by everyone," the head of the northern region clarified.
He added that Vitebsk is interested in imports from the Smolensk region. "EThere are many non-resource goods, from the production of heating boilers to parts for our machine-building industry, and this is also very interesting. And as an element of import substitution – without this, we cannot move forward in the current world," said Alexander Subbotin.
The general culture of the regions and history also arouse genuine interest, he added. This includes patriotic events in universities, colleges, schools, and the exchange of exhibitions and visits. According to Alexander Subbotin, the significance of the cultural and historical component in regional cooperation should not be underestimated. The economy is important, but humanitarian interaction is no less so.
"In agriculture, we are interested in the technologies that exist in the Smolensk region. They are interested in technologies that they do not have, but we already do. Some farmers have land both in our region and in the Smolensk region," Alexander Subbotin clarified. "There are really many interests, the picture is very diverse. And this gives strong hope and confidence that there is a future for cooperation, its foundation is solid. All that remains is to work, work, and work. The most important thing in this troubled time, when all our "partners" have left, is for us to take their place, and not let someone from outside in, so as not to step on the same rake," he concluded.
The official visit of the Smolensk region delegation to Vitebsk takes place on April 23. Earlier today, the guests visited some enterprises in the northern region, honored the memory of those who died during the Great Patriotic War at the memorial complex in honor of Soviet liberator soldiers on Victory Square, and familiarized themselves with the thematic exposition of Belarusian enterprises displayed at the regional executive committee.
The meeting was held at the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee with the participation of representatives of ministries and departments, leading enterprises of the country and the region.
"Both industry, and agriculture, and construction, and culture, and science," Alexander Subbotin outlined. "There are many areas for interaction, and they are already being implemented quite successfully. A large number of minor problems and inconsistencies indicate that the process has moved forward in many areas. And we are meeting again to level out, smooth out, and resolve these problems. Today, unfortunately, we are working for only one day, but this is the first, trial event after the Vitebsk region was assigned as the central operator from the Republic of Belarus in communication with the Smolensk region."The head of the northern region noted that Smolensk and Vitebsk are close neighbors, with a distance of over 100 km between them. "Many residents (of the region. - Ed. BELTA), Vitebsk residents, either have relatives there, or work, travel for cultural ties, or for shopping to Smolensk. The same applies to the Smolensk region: residents come here. This cannot but please. This is an indicator that we are united and interesting to each other. And, despite the official interaction, at this most, perhaps, correct and fundamental level - among people - it is only strengthening," Alexander Subbotin emphasized.
He specified the areas in which the Vitebsk region is currently most interested in cooperation with the Smolensk region - export, trade in food products, and supplies of products from the flax mill. "An agreement has already been reached today that we will open a large complex store (of the Orsha Flax Mill) in the center of Smolensk. This idea arose suddenly and requires, of course, deeper consideration, but nevertheless, it is supported by everyone," the head of the northern region clarified.
He added that Vitebsk is interested in imports from the Smolensk region. "EThere are many non-resource goods, from the production of heating boilers to parts for our machine-building industry, and this is also very interesting. And as an element of import substitution – without this, we cannot move forward in the current world," said Alexander Subbotin.
The general culture of the regions and history also arouse genuine interest, he added. This includes patriotic events in universities, colleges, schools, and the exchange of exhibitions and visits. According to Alexander Subbotin, the significance of the cultural and historical component in regional cooperation should not be underestimated. The economy is important, but humanitarian interaction is no less so.
"In agriculture, we are interested in the technologies that exist in the Smolensk region. They are interested in technologies that they do not have, but we already do. Some farmers have land both in our region and in the Smolensk region," Alexander Subbotin clarified. "There are really many interests, the picture is very diverse. And this gives strong hope and confidence that there is a future for cooperation, its foundation is solid. All that remains is to work, work, and work. The most important thing in this troubled time, when all our "partners" have left, is for us to take their place, and not let someone from outside in, so as not to step on the same rake," he concluded.
The official visit of the Smolensk region delegation to Vitebsk takes place on April 23. Earlier today, the guests visited some enterprises in the northern region, honored the memory of those who died during the Great Patriotic War at the memorial complex in honor of Soviet liberator soldiers on Victory Square, and familiarized themselves with the thematic exposition of Belarusian enterprises displayed at the regional executive committee.