Lukashenko on relations with Nizhny Novgorod Region of Russia: there is room for progress

President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has met today with the Governor of Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Region, Gleb Nikitin, who had come to the republic on a working visit

photo: www.president.gov.by

Starting the meeting, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted the long-standing ties between Belarus and the Nizhny Novgorod Region, “For some reason, I remember our first meetings in detail. I remember that we were very seriously engaged in the development of liaisons with the region together with [Valery] Shantsev [who headed the Russian region in 2005-2017]. I remember how projects were launched in agriculture and industry. I remember him asking for grain seeds and potatoes. After a while, the new governor told me what you had achieved – so we already envy you. At the same time, we are glad that we were somehow at the origins of the Nizhny Novgorod Region development.”

The Head of State emphasised that Nizhny Novgorod is one of the leading regions in Russia at present, “Therefore, we are proud and glad that we once began our interaction with the Nizhny Novgorod Region. Actually, there is room for progress. Our current turnover exceeds $700m, but we set the goal to reach $1bn. I think there will be this figure in our lifetime – despite the problems and difficulties that exist today, but which, as it turned out, actually make us stronger if we do not stand still. We have jointly mastered the production of trams, electric buses, and buses. We do all sorts of things together, and this is also very important. We are ready to build the appropriate facilities, which we will agree on. We are ready to work together in the shipbuilding field. We can seriously help in the construction of river vessels. We are also ready to work in agriculture, you know our capabilities.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko clarified that it is not only about the supply and sale of agricultural machinery, which the parties once started with. “We are ready to work together with you on the production, maintenance and repair of agricultural machinery. We are ready to deliver the agricultural products you need, and buy the necessary products from you in turn,” he explained.