Governor: Common values are at the heart of Belarus-Russia regional cooperation

Cooperation between the regions of Belarus and Russia is based on common values, and no artificial barriers can prevent it, Governor of the Belarusian Grodno Oblast Vladimir Karanik said at the outcome conference of the project “Russia - Belarus: Strong Partnership 2” implemented with the support of the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, BelTA has learned.
Friendship transcends distance if people have a desire for cooperation, interpersonal communication, friendly relations," Vladimir Karanik said. “Territorially Grodno Oblast and Kaliningrad Oblast are close, but, taking into account the international situation, neighbors create many artificial barriers to complicate our cooperation. However, closed borders and difficulties with logistics cannot put a stop to our relations. We have a common history, mindset, the same attitude to the historical events. Our peoples carefully preserve their historical memory. This makes the great foundation on which our interaction is built.

The project "Russia - Belarus: Strong Partnership" has helped to cultivate many horizontal ties not only between regional agencies but also at the level of districts and municipalities, communities, at the human level. This contributes to the mutual enrichment of both regions. "Our regions have a lot in common," he said. “We are similar in population, territory, and economic structure. At the same time, we have found something to learn from each other to promote the development of our regions, improve the lives of our people, and this process is unstoppable." 

According to Vladimir Karanik, there is every reason to call the project "Russia - Belarus: Strong Partnership Forever". This will really reflect the essence of relations between our peoples and show that we not only share the past, but we have many common projects ahead.

"They say a friend in need is a friend indeed. Despite all the difficulties, we support each other, this is the DNA of our peoples. But, probably, a friend in joy is a friend indeed. The ability to rejoice in each other's successes is worth a lot. We realized that we are happy for each other’s successes. And this is also the key to continuing our cooperation, improving cross-border cooperation," Vladimir Karanik summed up. He expressed confidence that Grodno Oblast and Kaliningrad Oblast will implement many more joint projects in the future.

The districts of Grodno Oblast and Kaliningrad Oblast have signed ten cooperation agreements within the framework of the project "Russia - Belarus: Strong Partnership". Two more were inked on 16 May. Such agreements will be concluded by all districts of Grodno Oblast within a year.