Polotsk became a member of the Hanseatic League of the New Era

June 22, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Polotsk has become a member of the Hanseatic League of the New Era. The decision was made at the general meeting of delegates of Hanseatic cities, which took place in Veliky Novgorod during the XXIX Hanseatic Days of the New Era, the Chairman of the Polotsk City Executive Committee Vladimir Tochilo informed a BELTA correspondent today. Along with Polotsk, the Dutch city of Groningen and the Icelandic town of Stykkishólmur became new members of the modern Hanseatic League. The Hanseatic League of the New Era was recreated in 1980. Only cities that were members of this union in the Middle Ages or had strong ties with the Hanseatic League can be its members. According to Vladimir Tochilo, participation in this international project, which unites 173 cities, will contribute to the growth of Polotsk's prestige in the European space and the establishment of international ties in both tourism and business. The chairman of the city executive committee did not rule out the possibility of Polotsk's participation in Hanseatic projects. Moreover, the Hansetag - a meeting of mayors of member cities of the Hanseatic League - plays an important role in the pan-European economy, he added. The Hanseatic League was founded by German merchants in the 13th century and greatly contributed to the development of trade relations in Northern Europe. The league operated under unwritten laws until the 18th century and united more than 200 cities in the basins of the North and Baltic Seas. Polotsk housed one of the offices of the Hanseatic League, which is documented. The Hanseatic League of the New Era includes large and small cities from 15 European countries. Russia is represented by 12 cities. -0-