Yesterday, an intergovernmental agreement on the regime of the Belarusian-Latvian state border was signed in Vitebsk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To this end, the heads of the foreign policy and border agencies of the two countries arrived in the northern capital. Before the signing ceremony, the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs. The governor acquainted the Latvian guests with the socio-economic development of the Vitebsk region and spoke about trade and economic cooperation with Latvia.

In particular, Alexander Nikolaevich noted that in recent years, the trade turnover between the Vitebsk region and Latvia has significantly increased. In 2012, it amounted to more than 115 million US dollars. The region exports petrochemical products, timber, wood products, clothing, footwear, machine tools, as well as food products. The neighboring country supplies food products, medicines, metal products, and fabrics to the Vitebsk region. At the same time, Alexander Nikolaevich emphasized that efforts should be made to achieve more – a trade turnover of 1 billion dollars. The region has all the prerequisites for this. This was eloquently demonstrated by the exhibition-presentation of investment projects implemented in the region and business proposals from the largest producers of the region, which are ready for fruitful mutually beneficial cooperation, organized in the lobby of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee: JSC "Verkhnedvinsk Butter and Cheese Factory", "Orsha Meat Canning Plant", "Orsha Aircraft Repair Plant", "Keramika", "Dolomit", "BelVitunipharm", SOOO "Belvest", Vitebsk Fur Factory, and others.

However, for more effective cooperation, according to Alexander Kosinets, it is necessary to interact without intermediaries, whose services often exceed the cost of the goods themselves, and to conclude direct contracts.

After the meeting with the Governor, Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the head of the Belarusian foreign policy department, Vladimir Makei. The foreign ministers discussed the full range of current issues concerning the development of Belarusian-Latvian cooperation in the political, trade-economic, and humanitarian spheres, as well as interaction within the framework of Belarus – European Union. In addition, the parties reviewed the results of the practical implementation of the intergovernmental agreement on the simplified procedure for mutual travel of residents of the border territories of Belarus and Latvia, which entered into force on February 1, 2012.

Commenting on the results of the negotiations, Vladimir Makei emphasized:

– We clearly conveyed the position of the Belarusian side regarding cooperation with the European Union, and we heard the position of our colleagues. I believe that despite the problems that exist in our relations with the EU, we are not at a dead end. There is a clear understanding that we must always find an algorithm of actions that will allow us, while solving fundamental problems, to gradually move in the possible directions.

In turn, Edgars Rinkēvičs noted that an open conversation on many aspects took place in Vitebsk.

– Everything that can strengthen trust between our countries must be done, and we will continue to work in the same vein, – said the head of the Latvian foreign policy department. – Regarding the relationship between the European Union and Belarus, we are moving to the stage of discussing issues. And this dialogue is very important for greater understanding between Belarus and the EU.

Following the negotiations, the Chairman of the State Border Committee of Belarus, Alexander Boyechko, and the Chief of the State Border Guard of Latvia, Normunds Garbars, signed the Treaty between the Government of Belarus and the Government of Latvia on the regime of the Belarusian-Latvian state border. The document establishes the procedure for its maintenance, crossing by persons and vehicles, movement of goods and merchandise across the border, as well as the settlement of border incidents.

Within the framework of the agreement, the parties undertake to carry out economic and other activities at the state border and in the border area without prejudice to the neighboring country, to cooperate in the field of environmental protection and rational use of natural resources, to conduct joint measures to prevent environmental disasters and natural disasters and to eliminate their consequences, etc.

The document also defines the main areas of cooperation between the border services. For the prompt resolution of issues related to ensuring the regime of the state border and settling border incidents, the institution of border plenipotentiaries has been established.
By the effectively concluded agreement, Belarus and Latvia confirm the absence of territorial issues between the two states and the current course of the state border on the ground, and define the procedure for resolving issues of crossing the Belarusian-Latvian state border by international legal
means.

Elena SYS. "Vitsiebski Rabochy"