No matter how hard they try to divide Belarus and the Kaliningrad region with artificial barriers, it will not succeed. This was stated by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, at a meeting with the governor of the Russian region, Anton Alikhanov, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
The Head of State warmly welcomed the region's delegation as "our closest people," Belarusians. He noted that many representatives of the Belarusian government were invited to the meeting, which indicates the significance of the visit and the Belarusian side's strong interest in developing cooperation. "Half the government is here. This shows how close you are to us and how interested we are in developing cooperation between Belarus and the Russian region, which has always been close to us," Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked.
According to the President, the fact that Anton Alikhanov is visiting our country for the third time is indicative and important. "I think, despite it being your third visit, there is still something to see in order to determine and plan further steps for strengthening our relations," said the Belarusian leader.
The Head of State emphasized that Belarus and the Kaliningrad region are linked by relations so long-standing, one might even say ancient, and strong in all spheres: economy, transit, culture, science and education, and family ties. "I am convinced that the current visit will be another milestone in consolidating our achievements in all the areas I have just mentioned, and in further expanding long-term cooperation," said the Belarusian leader.
"I am sure you will agree with me that the unprecedented attempt by the West in 2022 to restrict our communication with you, the free movement (remember) of goods by rail and road transport from both Russia and Belarus – this attempt was doomed to failure," the President stressed. "No matter how they try to divide us with artificial barriers, it will not work."
Moreover, this is dangerous for the party that initiates such actions, Alexander Lukashenko is convinced. Because this way an economic war (and not only economic) is unleashed, which the madmen in the West are trying to declare against Belarus and Russia for the first time. "Then they should not be offended. Besides, we are not threatening anyone. We are simply protecting our interests - those of Belarus and Russia. So far, with difficulty, but we manage to tolerate all these antics. But this simply cannot go on forever. Therefore, the leadership, I emphasize, the leadership of the Baltic states, and probably Poland too, must understand this perfectly," the President pointed out.
According to him, Belarus and the Kaliningrad region are overcoming all difficulties, including due to the accumulated potential in the industrial sector, industrial cooperation, agriculture, and the humanitarian sphere. "At the same time, we can significantly increase our output, Alexander Lukashenko is confident. - We have plenty of opportunities. We have approached $500 million in turnover. This is not a bad figure. But we can do more."
Within the framework of new infrastructure projects, Belarusian enterprises are ready to participate in procurement procedures for trucks, agricultural, road, municipal, and construction machinery, the President noted. "We can offer high-tech machine tools and components," he continued. "In short, we are open for you to explore our capabilities and propose further avenues of cooperation."
For example, there is potential for supplying domestic public transport units and attracting Belarusian builders for the construction of new facilities in the Russian region. "Our builders know the Kaliningrad region well, they have worked and are working on facilities. If you are satisfied, we are ready to continue working," Alexander Lukashenko said.
Speaking about cooperation in the agricultural sector, the President recalled how once, by chance, he had to fly over the territory of the Kaliningrad region and observe it well from a low altitude. "As a person from the countryside, I discovered that in terms of the agricultural sector, it is simply a Klondike, where there is a lot of work to be done," he said.
Belarus is, of course, ready to increase supplies of food products, which have already proven themselves well in the Russian market and are known under the brand "Zroblena ў Belarusі" (Made in Belarus). "However, this brand has started to be seriously and frequently counterfeited. We are facing this. Therefore, we will have to work on this as well," noted the Head of State. He also outlined the country's potential in agro- and ecotourism: "We will always be glad to see you in Belarus."
"We are open, I emphasize again, for cooperation with Russian regions, especially with the Kaliningrad region. Therefore, any of your wishes that we are capable of fulfilling... We are ready to work together," concluded Alexander Lukashenko. "Everything we agree on, I promise you, will be fulfilled on time and even ahead of schedule."
Source: belta.by