Vice premier outlines Belarus-Kalmykia cooperation prospects

MINSK, 20 March (BelTA) – Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Sivak outlined the key areas of cooperation with Kalmykia as he met with Head of the Republic of Kalmykia Batu Khasikov in Minsk on 20 March, BelTA has learned.

According to Anatoly Sivak, the development of direct ties with Russian regions is the basis of the Belarusian-Russian economic cooperation. He thanked Batu Khasikov for the attention paid by him and his team to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation with Belarus, as well as for the desire to deepen the mutually beneficial relationship between the parties. “The visit of your delegation testifies to this,” the deputy prime minister said.

The Republic of Kalmykia cannot be called a simple region due to its geographic location and climatic conditions. Its main asset is its hardworking and dedicated people, Anatoly Sivak said.

According to the vice premier, the parties need to step up mutual trade. “I am confident that the current visit, during which there are plans to hold a number of meetings, talks, visits to big industrial enterprises of Belarus and also a meeting of the joint working group, will add an impetus to the development of relations between us,” he said.

“It is obvious that the departure of Western companies from our markets provides new niches for commodity producers. The current difficult situation in the international arena and the sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus are a time of opportunity for our countries' manufacturers, for industrial cooperation, scientific and technical cooperation and implementation of new ambitious mutually beneficial projects. Therefore, close coordination at all levels, joint search for ways to counteract the sanctions and mitigate the negative effects of restrictive measures are also our priorities for cooperation,” the deputy prime minister said.