MOLODECHNO, 29 November (BelTA) – It is important for Belarus and Poland to deepen cooperation at the interregional level, Boris Batura, chairman of the Belarusian public association Twinned Towns, said at the fifth meeting of twin towns of Belarus and Poland in Molodechno on 29 November, BelTA has learned.
“Cities need to look for new resources to further cooperation and development. Successful cooperation is impossible without measures to increase competitiveness of products and complementarity of industries, as well as efforts to encourage mutual investment and cooperation at the interregional level,” Boris Batura said.
Belarus and Poland exchange expertise and knowledge in addressing social issues in their cities. “Belarusian and Polish cities maintain a constructive and positive dialogue in the social field, culture, sport and recreation. However, the parties should strive for more,” Boris Batura is convinced.
He emphasized that twinning relations can make a difference for Belarus and Poland. “Some sister cities bolster their positive image through their openness and exchange of best practices. These are Brest and Biala Podlaska, Lublin, Terespol; Grodno and Bialystok, Sokolka; Vitebsk and Zielona Gora; Nesvizh and Odolanow; Pinsk and Czestochowa,” Boris Batura said.
He noted that there is no one-size-fits-all recipe of efficient cooperation between sister cities, however a key to success lies through synergy of capacities, greater interest of local residents in governments' efforts to promote urban and rural development, responsibility for a common decision.
Boris Batura called for promoting the very idea of twinning relations, for shaping a positive perception of this cooperation format, and for conducting a regular review of progress in promoting twinning relations.
“Twinning relations is a special type of public diplomacy that offers a multitude of opportunities for economies and civil societies. They should be used in full in order to improve living standards and well-being of people,” Boris Batura said.
