11 March 2012
Novopolotsk to host first Belarusian-Latvian forum of twinned towns
VITEBSK, 11 March (BelTA) – The Belarusian town of Novopolotsk will host the first Belarusian-Latvian forum of twinned towns on 28-30 March, BelTA learned from Yekaterina Popok, Head of the Ideology Office of the Novopolotsk Town Executive Committee. The forum is expected to gather about 200 participants. Those will be heads of diplomatic missions of Latvia in Belarus and of Belarus in Latvia, mayors of twinned towns and mayors of towns to be twinned. Over 30 town couples from the two countries have already signed cooperation agreements, including 19 ones involving Vitebsk Oblast towns, with over ten couples at the contact establishment stage. Besides, 27 administrative units of Latvia have said they are eager to find twins in Belarus. During the forum representatives of town administrations will meet to discuss cooperation avenues involving representatives of ministries and agencies. Novopolotsk is not an accidental venue for the event. The town has extensive experience of establishing these contacts, with contacts established with 16 towns in different countries, including two towns in Latvia. Agreements on cooperation in cultural and economic matters have been signed.БЕЛТА