MINSK, 25 March (BelTA) - Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova met with the delegation of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for the preparation and conduct of the 9th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, BelTA reports.
"We have gathered today to discuss a very important event - the 9th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, which is traditionally held by the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia. Our colleagues came to Belarus to discuss all the nuances, possible issues regarding the preparation of this event, which has become traditional. The organizing committee has had a meeting today to consider a number of issues on the preparation and conduct of the forum," Natalya Kochanova said.
This year the forum will be held in a face-to-face format in Grodno at the end of June, she said. "Nothing will hamper us from holding it. The dates and venues have been set. The topics have been determined," the speaker of the upper house noted.
"In addition, we are planning another very important political campaign which, I hope, will be to the liking of everyone and will become traditional - the Victory Train. This event will be integrated into the Forum of Regions. Tenth-graders from the two countries will travel together to the iconic places, the battlefields of the Great Patriotic War, Belarusian and Russian cities. The campaign will be launched on 22 June, an important day for our countries," Natalya Kochanova added.
"Our countries have come under the unprecedented pressure today. We will not be scared by this, and the upcoming Forum of Regions confirms this. This year, regional cooperation between the two countries, which have great opportunities, has grown even more important," said Andrey Shevchenko, Chairman of the Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Self-Government and Northern Affair of the Federation Council s.
In the coming months, Belarus will host delegations from a number of Russian regions, including from Penza oblast and Voronezh Oblast. "It is very important that we hold business meetings before the forum proper, including meetings between entrepreneurs, which will provide them with a new impetus," said Andrey Shevchenko.
"A large number of participants is expected, about 250 from each side. In addition, the forum is open to anyone. We will run six thematic sections, which are closely integrated into the 28 Union State programs adopted by the heads of state. In the context of the illegitimate sanctions policy of the collective West and the United States, we can make great advancements in import substitution by pooling our efforts. We will look into the issues related to industry, agriculture, education, innovations and investments. Today, about 60 agreements between the regions are being prepared for signing," added Mikhail Rusy, Chairman of the Standing Commission on Regional Policy and Local Self-Government of the Council of the Republic.
The Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia is held annually under the auspices of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia. This year, the theme of the 9th Forum of Regions is "The Role of interregional cooperation in promoting integration in the Union State".
