The issue of merging Polotsk and Novopolotsk is not currently being considered - A. Kosinets

April 16, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The issue of uniting Polotsk and Novopolotsk is not currently being considered. This was stated to journalists today by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets. According to him, no legislative act on the unification of the two cities of regional subordination is being prepared, and no public opinion polls on this topic have been conducted. At the same time, a unified system of healthcare, social services, and sports should be created in these cities, which would be equally accessible to the residents of Polotsk and Novopolotsk. This will allow for the rational use of budget funds, the governor emphasized. "De facto, these cities have long existed as one city: Polotsk residents go to work in Novopolotsk and vice versa. Soon, another bridge will unite the cities, and it will be possible to travel from Polotsk to Novopolotsk by tram. Time will tell," Alexander Kosinets said. Polotsk is the administrative center of the Polotsk district. It is the oldest city in Belarus and one of the oldest cities of Kievan Rus' - the first chronicle mention of Polotsk dates back to 862. The population as of January 1, 2010, was 82.8 thousand people. Novopolotsk is located on the left bank of the Western Dvina River, 6 km west of Polotsk. The population is 98.2 thousand people. The history of the city began with the decision of the USSR government in March 1958 to organize an All-Union Komsomol shock construction project for the erection of the largest oil refinery in Europe on the left bank of the Western Dvina River - now Naftan OJSC. -0-