Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly Committee: Forum of Regions should give impetus to economic cooperation

In October 2013 the Upper Chamber of the Russian parliament, the Council of the Federation, and the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus are holding the first forum of regions in Mogilev, said Chairman of the Union State Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Foreign Policy Vladimir Senko in an interview with soyuz.by.

In October 2013 the Upper Chamber of the Russian parliament, the Council of the Federation, and the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus are holding the first forum of regions in Mogilev, said Chairman of the Union State Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Foreign Policy Vladimir Senko in an interview with soyuz.by.

“If it is success, and we do not expect anything else actually, the event will give a powerful impetus for establishing lasting and stable relations between regions, which are already, in my opinion, developing quite successfully,” he said.

According to the Chairman of the Council of the Federation Committee on the Federal Structure, Regional Policies, Local Self-Governance and Affairs of the North Stepan Kirichuk, cooperation in the area of foreign trade is of considerable interest to both Russian and Belarusian parties.

“It is very important that the regions of Belarus and Russia cooperate closely and hold not only joint cultural events, but also exchange products,” said S. Kirichuk.

According to him, in May 2013 Tver region is planning to hold an event which will be attended by the representatives of Vitebsk, Mogilev and Minsk regions of Belarus, as well as by about 16 Russian regions.

“We are going to discuss different ways to increase cooperation, which will make it possible to boost interstate trade to $ 50 billion. Such a goal has been set this year by the Presidents of Russia and Belarus, and we are doing everything we can to help business entities achieve it,” said the deputy.

He also noted that at present the legislation of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan are harmonized enough. However, this fact is not sufficient to expand the mutual exchange of goods.