PODOLSK, 27 November (BelTA) – Belarusian and Russian twin towns successfully implement a wide range of long-term joint economy and integration projects, Boris Batura, the chairman of the Belarusian public organization Twinned Towns and member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, said on 27 November as he attended the meeting of Belarusian and Russian twin towns in Podolsk, BelTA has learned.
Boris Batura stressed the importance of the Belarus-Russia integration. “The two countries are currently working on one of the most successful integration projects, the Union State of Belarus and Russia. Belarus' economy is oriented towards the Russian Federation. Almost all our agricultural products, products of machine-building and instrument-making industries are exported to Russia. For our part we import Russian raw materials and energy resources. Today more than 8,000 companies almost from all regions of Belarus and Russia are involved in the development of cooperation. The trade between the two countries has significantly increased in recent years. Belarus is Russia's third major trading partner on par with Kazakhstan,” Boris Batura said.
He believes that the integration project of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is very promising. It opens new opportunities for, first of all, the real economy and all its actors. Apart from the common market of goods and services, the EEU will have a common development strategy. Boris Batura pointed out that single market is only one aspect of the integration processes in the EEU. Other aspects include expanding cooperation, setting up joint hi-tech enterprises, and improving the investment climate.
“Each city and town should find its place in this important project. It is probably better to do this with the help of partner cities and towns, including the Kazakh ones. The task is not an easy one, but I think the present meeting can help us achieve it,” Boris Batura added.
He pointed out that the town-twinning strategy includes long-term multifaceted programs that are expected to be implemented with the participation of many people, organizations and institutions. Such projects promote collective interest in the processes going on between twin cities and towns.
Boris Batura also emphasized that two anniversaries are celebrated in 2015. These are the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory and the 70th anniversary of the town-twinning movement aimed at promoting peace, friendship, and people's welfare.
