Фото: Пул первого
Alyaksandr Lukashenka held a meeting today with another Russian regional governor. The head of the Ryazan Region, Pavel Malkov, arrived in Minsk. Lukashenka proposed increasing trade turnover and recalled the Ryazan Airborne School, while Malkov emphasized the importance of strengthening integration.
“I am very glad that you have come today. Especially since the indicators seem quite good. Over the past five years we have doubled our trade turnover, and the economy is always the foundation of our life. We will soon reach $300 million in trade turnover. But, studying the areas of cooperation with you, I realized that only by deepening these areas can we significantly increase it,” Lukashenka said while welcoming the guest.
As usual, he reminded the Russian official that he had come to a friendly land and that Minsk is always glad to welcome guests from Russia. Lukashenka promised that all agreements would be fulfilled on time.
“I want you to be sure: everything that your delegation, which has arrived in Minsk, agrees with Belarusians — industrialists, farmers, machine tool producers, manufacturers of passenger and cargo equipment — we will fulfill on time. We are people who keep our word; we have always been so and will remain so,” he said.
Lukashenka also recalled the military school in Ryazan.
“Many of our Belarusians graduated from the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School, and many of them now serve in our Armed Forces. These are strong people who take care of the airborne troops, the berets and so on. Many units that were disbanded after the collapse of the Soviet Union I preserved out of respect for these people, who always went forward, fought and defended our interests,” Lukashenka said.
He also outlined areas of cooperation.
“Without machine tools there are no cars, there is nothing at all. We know how to make some things — milling, grinding and turning machines, as well as much other equipment for machine tools and beyond,” he said.
Lukashenka offered the Ryazan Region construction materials, construction services, assistance in land reclamation, development of peat deposits and supplies of food products.
Pavel Malkov, in turn, emphasized allied cooperation.
“Interaction between Russia and Belarus is only growing stronger, integration is increasing. Our president, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, constantly emphasizes the importance of this process — strengthening integration. We spoke about this quite recently at a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State.
In general, new challenges and the complicated geopolitical situation are bringing us even closer together. These are new opportunities and new prospects for cooperation,” he said.
Malkov assured that his region is ready to develop cooperation with Belarus in all areas.
“We see that these intentions are absolutely mutual. From colleagues with whom we have long worked closely we see sincere interest, which over these years, one can confidently say, has turned into real friendship,” he added.
Lukashenka’s press service also quoted Malkov sharing his impressions of Minsk.
“What we have seen — clean, beautiful, neat, well-kept streets, very wide avenues. There is not a single corner where you cannot see the attentive care of the хозяин. It is impressive,” he said.