Kochanova: Belarus-Russia dialogue developing across all directions
The implementation of the Union State sectoral programmes, legislative activity, development and deepening of Belarusian-Russian co-operation under sanctions pressure and other topical issues were discussed by the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of Belarus, Natalya Kochanova, and the Russian Ambassador to Belarus Boris Gryzlov
“There is no need to say that the relations between our countries are strategic, because this is really true,” Ms. Kochanova set the tone for the conversation. “We are good friends, we are brothers. All the tasks that our countries face, are also important, as is our interaction. The dialogue between our countries is successfully developing across absolutely all areas. Undoubtedly, those historical traditions that bind our peoples help us in this. The visit of our President Aleksandr Lukashenko to the Far East, his meeting with Vladimir Putin once again underlined how open and kind our dialogue is. There are no closed topics for either Russians or Belarusians.”
Natalya Kochanova noted that our countries are building their statehood in conditions of close integration with each other. This is clearly demonstrated by the implementation of 28 Belarusian-Russian integration programmes. At the same time, liaisons between parliamentarians are also very important. The Federation Council of Russia and the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus are closely liaising across all areas. One of the common traditional events is the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, which will be held once again in June this year in Grodno. Governors meet, large-scale business contracts and agreements are signed – all this is very important,” stressed Ms. Kochanova.
This year, at the suggestion of the Federation Council of Russia and its Chair Valentina Matviyenko, a Memory Train will be first held, uniting one hundred schoolchildren from each of the two countries. They will visit memorial sites associated with the Great Patriotic War in 14 cities, and, on July 3rd, they will attend celebrations dedicated to the anniversary of Minsk’s liberation from German invaders. Ms. Kochanova expressed her confidence that this action would also become traditional, strengthening friendly relations between the youth of the two states.
