MINSK, 5 February (BelTA) – It is important to give a push and accelerate the development of interregional cooperation between Belarus and Kazakhstan, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Chairman of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerlan Koshanov in Minsk on 5 February, BelTA has learned.
The head of state noted that the development of interregional ties is also a focus for MPs in both countries. Furthermore, Belarus and Kazakhstan are preparing to hold a thematic forum on interregional cooperation. Aleksandr Lukashenko generally supported this idea and pointed out that both Belarus and Russia have experience of holding similar forums and so does Kazakhstan with Russia. In his view, such a forum is necessary to spur interregional cooperation.
The president also proposed more actively involving leaders of the local executive branches in both countries to stimulate regional-level ties. “Both our and your regional governors have considerable authority. We need to integrate them into this process,” he said.
“Governors in your country and ours are central figures. No matter how you look at it, a lot depends on them, especially in your country with its vast territory. Therefore, we need to somehow accelerate this process, develop it, and not be afraid that this middle level has started cooperating. That will make things easier for us too,” the Belarusian leader continued.
The head of state noted that Yerlan Koshanov, who previously served as Head of the Kazakhstan President Administration and was responsible for personnel policy matters, understands how the distribution of authority and local leadership accountability are structured. President Aleksandr Lukashenko explained that in Belarus, the governors have also been granted sufficient authority to develop interregional cooperation. “We are placing more responsibility on the governors. Let them cooperate [with colleagues from other countries]. With Russia so far, and with Kazakhstan. This interregional cooperation yields good results,” the president said.
As an example, Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned the previous experience of organizing and hosting the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine. “We gathered in Ukraine, our governors, theirs, and outlined paths for cooperation. Not everything worked out because the chaos in Ukraine began, but we accomplished a great deal during that time,” the head of state noted.
The head of state noted that the development of interregional ties is also a focus for MPs in both countries. Furthermore, Belarus and Kazakhstan are preparing to hold a thematic forum on interregional cooperation. Aleksandr Lukashenko generally supported this idea and pointed out that both Belarus and Russia have experience of holding similar forums and so does Kazakhstan with Russia. In his view, such a forum is necessary to spur interregional cooperation.
The president also proposed more actively involving leaders of the local executive branches in both countries to stimulate regional-level ties. “Both our and your regional governors have considerable authority. We need to integrate them into this process,” he said.
“Governors in your country and ours are central figures. No matter how you look at it, a lot depends on them, especially in your country with its vast territory. Therefore, we need to somehow accelerate this process, develop it, and not be afraid that this middle level has started cooperating. That will make things easier for us too,” the Belarusian leader continued.
The head of state noted that Yerlan Koshanov, who previously served as Head of the Kazakhstan President Administration and was responsible for personnel policy matters, understands how the distribution of authority and local leadership accountability are structured. President Aleksandr Lukashenko explained that in Belarus, the governors have also been granted sufficient authority to develop interregional cooperation. “We are placing more responsibility on the governors. Let them cooperate [with colleagues from other countries]. With Russia so far, and with Kazakhstan. This interregional cooperation yields good results,” the president said.
As an example, Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned the previous experience of organizing and hosting the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Ukraine. “We gathered in Ukraine, our governors, theirs, and outlined paths for cooperation. Not everything worked out because the chaos in Ukraine began, but we accomplished a great deal during that time,” the head of state noted.
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