Ambassador calls for opening branch of Belarusian embassy in Russia's Voronezh

In 2024, the Vitebsk region will host the XI Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, which will be dedicated to scientific and technical progress, technological advancement, and sovereignty. This was announced to journalists by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus, Boris Gryzlov, during a meeting with the leadership of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.

"The Forum of Regions held this year in Ufa set a high bar, and we would like not only to maintain it but to raise it even higher. Our proposal was to hold it in two cities - Vitebsk and Polotsk. The oldest city in the country, which is one of the centers of Slavic and Orthodox culture, is located in our region. Therefore, we proposed to hold the first day of the sessions in Polotsk. Vitebsk Airport can accommodate a large number of delegations, which will then travel to Polotsk by a branded train," said Alexander Subbotin, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, to the Ambassador.

The upcoming Forum of Regions will be dedicated to scientific and technical progress, technological advancement, and sovereignty. "The motto of the forum is 'Science - the Future of the Union State.' This concerns issues of innovation, technological interaction between regions, and between our countries as a whole. Not so long ago, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that perhaps we need to consider having representatives from third countries participate in such forums. These could be regions from countries that are members of the Eurasian Economic Union or other CIS countries. The forum could be held under a new formula," shared Boris Gryzlov.

Alexander Subbotin emphasized that the forum's agenda, the number of sessions, and invited guests are determined by parliamentarians, and the participation of "third" regions in the upcoming large-scale event will be discussed with their involvement.

Such forums are of great importance for the Vitebsk region. Alexander Subbotin noted that interregional cooperation with Russia is strengthening and expanding. In addition to ties with the nearest Russian regions, interaction between Vitebsk and the Far East is planned. Boris Gryzlov noted that the Vitebsk region was the first among Belarusian regions to conclude agreements with the new territories of the Russian Federation, in particular, the Republic of Crimea.

The Russian Ambassador to Belarus visited the Vitebsk enterprises "Energokomplekt", "Vityaz", and the metal structures plant. The ambassador's visit to the Vitebsk region also includes a cultural component - he will visit the Ilya Repin estate-museum in Zdravnevo.

"BELTA"