June 6, Minsk /BELTA/. Belarus has long regarded cooperation with the regions of Russia as one of the main components of Belarusian-Russian relations and a real economic basis for integration. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on June 5 at a meeting with the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia Valentina Matviyenko and the heads of Russian regions participating in the first Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
June 6, Minsk /BELTA/. Belarus has long regarded cooperation with the regions of Russia as one of the main components of Belarusian-Russian relations and a real economic basis for integration. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on June 5 at a meeting with the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia Valentina Matviyenko and the heads of Russian regions participating in the first Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
The Head of State noted that the exchange of visits by delegations from Belarus and Russian regions has become a good tradition. In his opinion, regular meetings of bilateral councils, commissions, and working groups allow for prompt consideration of the most pressing issues of cooperation and solving specific tasks for expanding mutual ties.
"Undoubtedly, it is important to strengthen the established partnership relations and enhance interaction at all levels of business cooperation, working together for a concrete result," the President emphasized.
The first Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia is dedicated to the issues of effective development of the agro-industrial complexes of the two countries. In Alexander Lukashenko's opinion, cooperation in this area is of paramount importance, as the food security of the Union State depends on its implementation.
The President stressed that Belarus produces a wide range of agricultural machinery. The extent of its model range can be seen by Russian guests during their visit to the "Belagro" agro-industrial exhibition. "It is recognizable and popular in your market. Often, these are joint cooperative products," the Head of State noted. "In some of them, the share of Russian components reaches 80%."
That is precisely why Belarus advocates for a joint, reasonable policy with Russia in the field of industrial cooperation and the creation of enterprises for the joint production of machinery, Alexander Lukashenko stated.
Over 1,000 organisations with Belarusian capital operate in Russia. In 2013, 58 joint ventures producing Belarusian machinery were active here, supplying the Russian market with products worth nearly $350 million. Moreover, the main share (over 80%) of the assembled machinery comprises agricultural machinery products from Gomselmash, MTZ, Bobruiskagromash, and Lidaagroprommash. The President believes that, with the interest of the Russian side and local support, the organisation of additional assembly of Belarusian agricultural machinery in Russian regions can be explored.
Alexander Lukashenko named animal husbandry, seed production, and fisheries as promising areas for Belarusian-Russian cooperation in the agro-industrial complex. "We are ready to participate in the reconstruction of livestock complexes, from design work to equipment supply," he said. "The Belarusian side is capable of meeting Russia's needs for trucks, passenger vehicles, and highly efficient machines for public utilities."
The Head of State reported that the "Electric Transport" project has been implemented at the new production site of the Belarusian-Swiss enterprise Stadler Minsk, and the production of European-quality trains, trolleybuses, and trams has commenced. The first order to be fulfilled at the new plant is for double-decker trains for the Moscow transport company Aeroexpress.
Alexander Lukashenko considers the prospect of continuing and expanding preferential loan programmes for the supply of Belarusian machinery to the Russian market to be realistic. The implementation of just one such programme with Sberbank of Russia allowed for the execution of loan agreements worth approximately $1.5 billion. Similar work has been initiated with VTB Bank.
The commencement of large-scale cooperation with Russian regions in the field of construction can also serve as an example of successful integration. The microdistrict Malinovka is being built in Kaluga by the Minsk-based OJSC MAPID. In Kursk, Gomel-based organisations are constructing about 210,000 sq. m of housing. Cooperation in the construction sector is underway with the Smolensk and Moscow regions. "We are interested in similar projects in other Russian cities," noted Alexander Lukashenko. "Belarusian contracting organisations ensure high-quality construction and installation work and adhere to the stated construction deadlines. We are also capable of increasing the supply of necessary materials and introducing our technologies."
Belarusian enterprises are ready for close cooperation with Russian partners within the system of state procurement, competitions, and tenders for the supply of goods, execution of works, and provision of services for the state and municipal needs of Russia. In the opinion of the Belarusian side, this area is very promising.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that during the forum, Russian guests have the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues of bilateral interaction with their Belarusian colleagues. He expressed confidence that holding such meetings will become another good tradition. The President of Belarus expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the Federation Council and personally to Valentina Matvienko for their active participation and support in organizing and holding such a large-scale event in Minsk.
In turn, Valentina Matvienko emphasized that Russia considers Belarus its most important strategic partner. According to her, a delegation of over 200 representatives from 19 Russian regions arrived in Minsk for the forum. "This indicates great interest from the Russian side in developing interregional cooperation with Belarus," said the Speaker of the Federation Council. "We have come with very serious intentions to assess the level of regional cooperation: what it is, what hinders further progress, and what measures need to be taken for more effective contacts," she stressed.
Valentina Matvienko congratulated the Belarusian side on the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders, as well as on the successful hosting of the Ice Hockey World Championship. "According to the International Ice Hockey Federation, according to experts and participants, it was the best Ice Hockey World Championship in history. This event has significantly enhanced Belarus's prestige on the international stage, demonstrated its capabilities, economic and social development, investment potential, hospitality, and the friendliness of its people," she noted.
"There have been difficult periods in our relations with Russia, and if it were not for cooperation with the regions of Russia, it would be very difficult for us today," the President noted.
Touching upon the creation of the Eurasian Economic Union, Alexander Lukashenko expressed the opinion that this is only the beginning of integration.
"I said (which greatly alarmed the West) that political and military integration within this union awaits us, because the economy is the foundation of everything. If there is an economy, if it unites people, if it is the foundation, then we will certainly come to the defense of this economy and interests, primarily economic ones," said the head of state. "I think we will soon reach the point where the CSTO will become an integral part of this union. It will be our military organization."
Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the opinions being voiced that the need for further construction of the Union State of Belarus and Russia has disappeared. The President believes that when the EAEU reaches the level of integration that exists in the Union State, the question of the further existence of the Union State will arise. "But we have not reached that point yet," stated the head of the Belarusian state.
"We are often criticized, especially in Russia: look, Lukashenko is unhappy about something, he bargained. I didn't bargain for anything! Satisfied - dissatisfied... Of course, dissatisfied, because we declared the formation of a union without any exceptions and restrictions. Like one state, at least in economic terms. But when we approached these issues, it turned out that some problems became insurmountable. And frankly, primarily for the Russian Federation," the President noted. He recalled that many agreements from the trilateral level were moved to the bilateral level. "Therefore, on some positions, we even retreated from the Customs Union. And we, all three presidents, openly admitted this," added Alexander Lukashenko.
"We were forced to postpone the solution of many issues until 2025. I criticized such a position. This is my only dissatisfaction. We agreed that there would be no such exceptions and restrictions, and suddenly they appear, and significant ones. This is a loss of attractiveness, but we firmly decided that by 2025 (this does not mean in 2025, but as early as possible) we will solve these problems," said the head of state.
Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that strengthening interregional cooperation will be the most powerful foundation and locomotive for any integration in the post-Soviet space. The President considers it necessary to involve the regions of Kazakhstan and Ukraine in this process.
"A new President has been elected in Ukraine. I believe we will cooperate with the new President, with the new government, because our people live there, and there are people like us, kind, hardworking, who have found themselves in such a situation. Of course, we could dismiss them, but the people would suffer even more," the Head of State noted.
Alexander Lukashenko also touched upon the issue of Western sanctions against Russia.
"No sanctions in the current world can crush Russia," the President believes. "This is complete foolishness. We need an additional centre of gravity, a centre of support in the world, so that we can finally restore a multipolar world. The world cannot have one pillar and swing from side to side. This is our principled position, which, of course, the Westerners do not like."
"But by doing so, they are doing everything to make us revive and stand on our feet faster. We will turn our gaze not there, but here we will develop our lands, and you will see what effect this will have," the Head of State added.
Governors of Russian regions addressed the President with a number of initiatives. In particular, it was proposed to form a new development strategy for the agro-industrial complex within the Eurasian Economic Union, focusing on the export potential of the association. Proposals were also made regarding the deepening of industrial cooperation and cooperation in the field of forestry and woodworking.
The Governor of the Smolensk region, Alexey Ostrovsky, asked for assistance in processing lands bordering Belarus by sending Belarusian specialists.
The Governor of the Amur region, Oleg Kozhemyako, thanked the Belarusian side for the humanitarian aid provided during the flood in the region.
At the end of the meeting, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized Belarus's readiness for close cooperation with Russian regions.
"I am sure this first forum will not be the last," the President said.
Valentina Matvienko, in turn, proposed holding the next forum, which is planned to be hosted by the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia, under the patronage of the Presidents of Belarus and Russia.
"I think there will be no problems from our side. We will find time to attend it and meet with our most important assistants – the governors," Alexander Lukashenko noted.-0-