MINSK, 30 May (BelTA) – The Belarusian cities of Gomel and Baranovichi have established twin-city relations with the Serbian cities of Novi Sad and Cacak, BelTA learned from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Serbia Vladimir Chushev.
The diplomat remarked that the twinning agreement was signed by Chairman of the Gomel City Executive Committee Piotr Kirichenko and Novi Sad Mayor Milos Vucevic. “The agreement was not accidental. Both cities are very much alike. They are the second largest cities in Belarus and Serbia with almost the same number of residents, vigorously developing economic and social spheres, cultural centers. Gomel is located on the River Sozh while Novi Sad is located on the River Danube,” believes Vladimir Chushev. The diplomat said that Gomel is Novi Sad’s tenth twinned city.
The signing of the agreement will continue the mutually beneficial relations because a preliminary agreement on cooperation between the cities was signed in Novi Sad in February 2012. The sides plan to advance cooperation in various branches of economy, the social sphere, in culture, education, and healthcare. Several Serbian companies have already expressed interest in cooperation with Gomel partners. For instance, in November 2012 OAO Gomel Radio Plant held preliminary negotiations with representatives of Serbian companies to discuss the joint production of trailers and irrigation machines in Serbia, the Ambassador said.
Besides, last year agreements on cooperation were signed between the museum of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina in the city of Novi Sad and the Gomel palace and park complex as well as between the Novi Sad University and the Francisk Skorina Gomel State University. “An enterprise has been set up and successfully operates in Novi Sad to assemble MTZ tractors. An honorary consulate of Belarus will soon be set up in the city. In January-February 2013 Serbia-Gomel trade totaled $5.4 million, five times as much as in January-February 2012,” said the diplomat.
The Baranovichi-Cacak twin-city agreement was signed on 24 May. The document was inked by Chairman of the Baranovichi City Executive Committee Viktor Dichkovsky and First Vice Mayor of Cacak Radenko Lukovic. The agreement provides for advancing relations in all areas, focusing on economy, noted the diplomat.
“Cacak has also suggested setting up a facility to showcase and sell Belarusian machines. Some projects are being implemented already, for instance, at premises of the aircraft repair factory. Apart from that, Cacak manufactures seats for Belarusian buses and trolleybuses,” informed Vladimir Chushev.
So far twin-city and partnership relations have been established between the cities of Mogilev and Kragujevac, Grodno and Kraljevo, Nesvizh and Zemun, Zaslavl and Topola. Several agreements are being prepared, including between the cities of Borisov and Pozarevac, Soligorsk and Jagodina, Zhlobin and Smederevo. In the future there are plans to set up a Belarusian-Serbian association of twinned cities and partners similar to the bodies that Belarus has set up together with Russia, Lithuania, and Latvia.
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