ZHITOMIR, 4 October (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to look into Ukraine's proposals regarding the enhancement of bilateral cooperation, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during the 2nd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine in Zhitomir on 4 October, BelTA informs.
“Thank to all Ukrainians, the president for the invitation to visit brotherly Ukraine and take part in the 2nd Forum of Regions. Time has given us an excellent opportunity to synchronize watches and determine future priorities. We are ready to look into Ukraine's proposals regarding the enhancement of bilateral cooperation. I am convinced that our first meeting and personal acquaintance will become a big step to the enhancement and development of old-established relations between the two states,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The head of state stressed that the today's talks are more than just a personal acquaintance in terms of essence and volume. “It was like clearing the rubble which has been accumulated in recent years. Unfortunately, it turned out that we had to clear this rubble. And we have begun today,” he said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that the regions and towns of the two countries have 120 cooperation agreements. These documents guarantee comprehensive development of economic, trade, cultural and humanitarian ties. The 1st Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine took place in Gomel on 2018 because of that. “That dialogue of equal partners and good neighbors resulted in commercial contracts and agreements worth more than $100 million. This forum generated more that $500 million. It is important that all of them are fulfilled,” the head of state stressed. “A new big package of documents which was signed during these days shows that this format of interaction is in demand and significant.0”
A reminder, business circles and enterprises of Belarus and Ukraine signed dozens of documents to the tune of over $540 million at the 2nd Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine. “New avenues have been opened up with the relevant contracts signed. I am talking about not only conventional petrochemical industry and mechanical engineering but also about civil engineering, light industry, and food industry. We are expanding our export portfolio,” Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladimir Ulakhovich said following the eighth session of the Belarus-Ukraine advisory council on business cooperation on 3 October.
