Mr. Myasnikovich hopes to see St. Petersburg extend its scientific and technical co-operation with Belarus in the sphere of personnel training. Particularly, he would like to see branches of St. Petersburg universities open in Belarus and vice-versa. A joint university could even be created. He added, “A joint council for the defence of theses could also operate.”
He believes that an interagency working group is needed to define the most promising bilateral projects, including those in the scientific and technical sphere. The PM also emphasised the need for financial co-operation. “St. Petersburg is a powerful financial centre not only in Russia, but also in Europe. If the major St. Petersburg bank becomes part of the Belarusian banking system, it will contribute greatly to the development of our partnership,” he added.
The Governor of St. Petersburg, Georgy Poltavchenko, believes that co-operation with Belarus is already bearing real fruit. At the same time, our countries have potential for increasing trade turnover. “We have larger potential in terms of product volume and range,” he underlines. Mr. Poltavchenko mentioned the energy sector, health care, housing and communal services, education and culture as priority areas of development for mutually beneficial co-operation.
