OREANDA-NEWS. Issues of cooperation between Karelia and Belarus were discussed on September, 11 at the first session of the working group for development of cooperation between the Republic of Karelia and the Republic of Belarus in 2014-2015. At the instruction of the Head of Karelia the session was chaired by Mikhail Sokolov, Deputy Head of the Republic of Karelia and Official Representative of the Republic of Karelia at the President of the Russian Federation.

The goal of this meeting was finding priority guidelines for further cooperation between the parties and specific activity plans for successful implementation of the Protocol signed last year.

- Since long ago Karelia and Belarus have been supporting friendly and business relationship. They are of constructive character, and keep improving. Our current task is to perform everything we have agreed on, that would enable strengthening of Karelia's economy as well as relations with Belarus, - Mikhail Sokolov has told.

According to Viktor Nazarenko, Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Belarus for Standardization, head of the Belarussian part of the working group for development of cooperation between the republics, the Protocol covers cooperation in most difference spheres, and it should be of mutual benefit. "Both parties will make their suggestions regarding all spheres of cooperation. The main thing now is to transfer implementation of the Protocol in practice, to fill it with specific projects and ideas that we could turn into reality," - Viktor Nazarenko has pointed out.

As it had been mentioned during the session, prospects of economic cooperation between the republics are first of all related to the expansion of supply of equipment from OJSC Belarusian Autoworks (BELAZ), Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ), OJSC Minsk Tractor Works, participation of Belarus in the program of Karelia's passenger transportation modernization, joint development of peat deposits within the territory of our region using Belarussian technologies and equipment. Establishing of industrial cooperation between the enterprises of Karelia and Belarus, foods delivery expansion have also been stated as priority sphere for cooperation.

For instance, Belarus is interested in saturation of the food market of Karelia with farm products, first of all, in establishing of joint manufactures to process wild berries. Our region, in turn, is interested to deliver fish to Belarus, Karelia's enterprises of the fisheries sector are ready to deliver up to 20,000 tons of fish a year.

The parties cooperate in the sphere of exhibition and trade fair activities. Representatives from Belarus always take part in trade fairs of food commodities and industrial goods held in Petrozavodsk and Kondopoga.

Implementation of joint projects and activities in the sphere of culture is negotiated. In particular, it has been agreed on such events as Days of Culture to take place in both republics, and on guest performance of the State Musical Theatre of the Republic of Karelia in the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus. Negotiations between other cultural establishments are in progress.

As for the sphere of health, this summer children from Karelia went on vacation to recreational centres of Belarus.

The memorandum on cooperation between he Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus and the Ministry of Labour and Employment of the Republic of Karelia has been signed.

According to participants of the working group, cooperation between the parties will develop in such spheres as tourism, sport, education, informational technologies, and sister-city relations will be established.

"Belarus has gained a wealth of experience. We should search for forms for our teamwork, - Mikhail Sokolov said. - We've got a will and efforts to make our cooperation efficient."