The agreement on cooperation in the economic, scientific, technical, and socio-cultural spheres was signed by the Vitebsk region and Volgograd

To this end, the city leadership and its deputy corps gathered at the Vitebsk City Executive Committee.

In early April this year, the Chairman of the City Executive Committee, Viktor Nikolaikin, visited the cities of Volgograd and Astrakhan as part of an official visit by a delegation from the Vitebsk region to these regions of the Russian Federation. Negotiations were held, and several enterprises were visited. At the same time, the chambers of commerce and industry of the Vitebsk and Volgograd regions signed a cooperation agreement, with a return visit scheduled for July 31.

The signing of the agreement, which legalized the already established ties, was the result of the April trip. We are separated by a distance of 1,500 kilometers, but this is not an obstacle for strong friendship.

— I hope and am confident that your visit to Vitebsk will give new impetus to the relations between our cities and countries, — said Viktor Nikolaikin, addressing the head of Volgograd, Chairman of the Volgograd City Duma, Andrey Kosolapov. — We are brotherly peoples, we are always together. I cannot fail to mention the unforgettable impressions I received just a few weeks ago when I visited Mamayev Kurgan and the Museum of the Battle of Stalingrad during the visit of the Vitebsk region delegation. Holy places!

Then Viktor Pavlovich spoke about the ancient history, the heroic past, and the present day of Vitebsk, emphasizing the industrial and production potential of our regional center.

Andrey Kosolapov also provided the most important information about his city. Thus, Volgograd, which includes the territories of 8 districts and 4 workers' settlements, is home to over a million people; it is one of the most important industrial centers in Russia, with 181 production enterprises operating in the city.

Cooperation exists primarily in the economy. Trade turnover between Vitebsk and the Volgograd region for January-May of this year increased by 13.3 percent compared to the same period in 2016 and amounted to more than 1.7 million dollars, of which exports were about 1.6 million. In supplies, the main share is occupied by footwear produced by SOOO "Belvest" - 76 percent, metal profile of IPCH "BelGigaSynt" accounts for 7 percent, cable products of OOO "PO "Energokomplekt" - 6 percent, other goods (beef, plastic containers, insecticides, trade equipment) - 11 percent.

Last year, five business entities from Vitebsk shipped products to the Volgograd region for the first time. Among them are enterprises such as "BelGigaSynt", OOO "Modern-Expo" and OOO "Modern-Trading".

Imports of goods amounted to 81.7 thousand dollars. This year, mainly cotton fabrics for the production of hot-melt materials used in the footwear and leather goods industry are imported from the Volgograd region - 73.4 percent of the total supply, siliceous and quartz sand for the production of purification equipment - 13.5 percent, equipment for agriculture - 5.8 percent, glass containers for processing fruits and vegetables - 3.4 percent.

The balance of foreign trade in goods for the first five months is positive - a "plus" of 1.57 million dollars.

And then the solemn moment came: Viktor Nikolaikin and Andrey Kosolapov put their signatures under the document.

Under the terms of the agreement, the parties will assist each other in organizing business contacts, holding exhibitions, fairs, help in studying market conditions, interact in the field of social protection of the population, education and youth policy, culture, physical culture and sports, environmental protection, media, communications and informatization, tourism.

The city leaders agreed that administrative pressure in establishing relations between the business communities of the two countries would not be beneficial, such ties would immediately be stillborn, therefore, it is important, first of all, not to interfere with business assets and to promote partnership in every possible way. "They will find points of support and interaction themselves," noted A. Kosolapov.

Viktor Pavlovich and Andrey Vladimirovich exchanged gifts.

Andrey Kosolapov presented a book about the history of a city with a population of over a million, which went through the stages from Tsaritsyn and Stalingrad to Volgograd, as well as a souvenir map of Mamayev Kurgan.

Viktor Nikolaikin presented the head of Volgograd with a composition (a collective creation), which he conditionally called "Striving for Life," for the State Historical and Memorial Museum-Reserve "Battle of Stalingrad" and a beautiful carpet with Vitebsk views and attractions from OJSC "Vitebskiye Kovry," as well as samples of products from other enterprises.

Summing up the meeting, Viktor Pavlovich briefly and energetically addressed the attendees: "Get to work! The business is now up to you."

Vitaliy SHIENOK. Photos by Oleg KLIMOVICH. "Vitbichi".