Office of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Russian Federation officially began to work in Smolensk. The office was established according to the decision of Belarus' Council of Ministers, the head of office, counsellor Nikolai Kutsko, reported. He also added that the leadership of Smolensk region was also interested in opening the embassy's office.
According to Nikolai Kutsko, the opening of the Belarusian diplomatic mission in Smolensk is caused not only by the fact that Smolensk region borders with Belarus. It occupies the sixth place among all regions of the Russian Federation in terms of trade turnover with Belarus. For example, in 2008 the volume of mutual trade amounted to 800 million dollars, and in 2009 it decreased to 600 million dollars because of the crisis. As the head of diplomatic mission stressed, this year, judging by growth rate, it is possible to overcome one billion dollars, BelTA informs.
Nikolai Kutsko reported that Smolensk regional administration had already proposed to implement many projects, including establishment of joint ventures. The opening ceremony of diplomatic mission was visited by the governor of the region, Sergei Antufiev.
According to the Belarusian diplomat, the embassy’s office will not just fully develop the cooperation with Smolensk region, but also strengthen collaboration with several other regions of central Russia.
