‘The basis for solving current problems is the economy’

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, met with Governor of Russia’s Bryansk Region Alexander Bogomaz

belta 

The Head of State welcomed the head of Russia’s region to Minsk, noting that in July last year, they already had a brief conversation at the Kupala Night Festival in Alexandria. Alexander Bogomaz pays frequent visits to Gomel Region. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, he requested the Governor of this region, Ivan Krupko, to co-operate with Bryansk Region more closely. 
“I have been informed that you have established good contacts. I welcome this and will support it in every possible way,” the Belarusian leader said. 
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasised that Bryansk Region is one of the closest Russian regions to Belarus. During the difficult times in the 1990s, when there was a shortage of agricultural machinery, Belarus and Bryansk Region came to each other’s aid.
“Since Soviet times, we have had the warmest, friendliest, kindest, brotherly relations between our peoples. Thank God, we have not drawn a border to create inconveniences for our people, as it happened with Poland, the Baltic States, and even worse with Ukraine,” the Head of State noted.

“The long-standing historical and human ties between Belarus and Bryansk Region are very strong and multifaceted. All this fully applies to another closest neighbour of ours, Chernigov Region of Ukraine. The spirit of good neighbourliness, friendship and co-operation always reigned on the border of the three republics,” Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out. “Now it is the opposite, to our deep regret. In this situation,
Belarusians stand in absolute solidarity with you, empathise with you, and are ready to help in any way we can.”

The President pointed out that the economy is at the heart of solving any current and possible future issues, “As they said in Soviet times — once there is economy and production, there will be work for parties, Komsomol, and trade unions. The same is true about the present day.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko reminded that in 2020, the task was set to raise the trade turnover between Belarus and Bryansk Region to one billion dollars. 
“Last year, we had a slight decrease in mutual trade for various reasons. The turnover amounted to about $800m. This year we are determined to restore the previously achieved figure,” the Belarusian Head of State noted.
“I think no one needs explanations to see that a billion dollars in trade turnover is far from being the limit. And the main reserve is the implementation of large-scale cooperative industrial projects.
We are ready to further develop this experience, including the creation of other enterprises in Bryansk Region for the manufacture of machinery, materials, equipment — anything you need and we can do.”
They also discussed co-operation in the field of agriculture. Here, according to the Head of State, the parties have a lot to learn from each other. Moreover, the lands and climatic conditions are similar.

Maksim Korotkin

“We know that Bryansk Region is the leader in Russia in the production of certain types of agricultural products and sets records for potato and grain yields (rye, triticale, in particular). You have reached a good level of animal husbandry. This is also one of our priorities, hence a wide field for joint activities,” Aleksandr Lukashenko underlined.
“We are ready to expand the supply of food and other goods, without interfering with your producers or competing with you. We need to combine our capabilities in the vast Belarusian–
Russian market.”
The programme of the Russian delegation headed by Alexander Bogomaz included a visit to the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation, a unique production complex that makes high-quality animal feed. It is about to launch the production of veterinary drugs and equipment for animal husbandry.
Bryansk Region is interested in co-operation in the field of science, agro-industrial and construction industries, especially since such experience is already available.
“You know well how Belarusian builders work. Last year, an investment project was implemented for the construction of a 16-storey residential building in Bryansk. If you are satisfied with the performance of our builders, we will continue our collaboration in this direction. I know from my talks with the President of Russia that you have ambitious plans in construction, including roads, cultural and industrial facilities, and, above all, housing,” the Belarusian leader said.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, Belarus is ready to offer services in major repairs of housing and buildings, road construction, design and engineering surveys. In addition, our country can provide qualified specialists, high-quality machinery and equipment for water supply, water treatment, heating, and waste recycling.
Among the promising areas of collaboration, the President also named overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, which affected Bryansk Region as much as Belarus. “We are engaged in the revival of these territories (you are aware of our programmes), creating normal conditions for people’s lives. We have unique technologies and developments. If you are interested in them, we are ready to co-operate,” the President said.

Maksim Korotkin


Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by