SOLIGORSK, 16 May (BelTA) – A roadmap for cooperation between Belarus' Minsk Oblast and Czechia's Vysocina Region for 2019-2020 were signed by Minsk Oblast Governor Anatoly Isachenko and Vysocina Region Governor Jiri Behounek in Soligorsk on 16 May, BelTA has learned.
Anatoly Isachenko emphasized friendly relations between Vysocina Region and Minsk Oblast. The memorandum of cooperation was signed in 2014. In autumn 2018, a business forum was held after the visit of the Minsk Oblast delegation to Vysocina Region. The forum helped strengthen trade and economic cooperation between the regions. In 2018, the trade between Minsk Oblast and the Czech Republic totaled $87 million, up 66% from 2017 ($52 million). “These figures demonstrate positive dynamics of our cooperation. We are interested in boosting the export of Belarusian goods to the Czech market and see reserves and wide opportunities. Minsk Oblast is ready to offer the Czech Republic investment cooperation in food industry, agriculture, transport, logistics, woodworking,” Anatoly Isachenko said.
The Czech delegation paid a visit to Soligorsk in February 2018 to see Belaruskali. This time, the parties are set to sign an agreement on cooperation between Soligorsk and Pelhrimov.
According to the Minsk Oblast governor, the parties are bolstering ties in emergency response. “During the visit of the Minsk Oblast delegation to the Czech Republic our specialists got a chance to get familiar with operation of emergency rescue services, response systems and the anti-crisis center of Vysocina. The subdivision of the Minsk Oblast Emergencies Department shares its best practices. We suggest continuing active cooperation in the chosen areas and establish close interaction in tourism through the organization of mutual familiarization tours for the travel agencies of the two regions,” he added.
In turn, Jiri Behounek stressed that the Czech delegation had come to Minsk Oblast to step up cooperation. “We have visited Soligorsk school No.6 and liked its emergencies class very much. Our delegation includes a head of all voluntary firefighters of the Czech Republic and he said that he was impressed with the ice rescue training at the school. I believe that Vysocina Region and Minsk Oblast will continue active cooperation. We would like all regions of the Czech Republic and Belarus to cooperate with each other,” Jiri Behounek said.
The delegation of Vysocina Region is on a visit to Minsk Oblast on 15-17 May. The Czech representatives are set to visit Soligorsk clinic No.2, Slutskiye Poyasa company, a kindergarten and other facilities.