Belarus’ Gomel Oblast, Russia’s Yakutia strengthen cooperation

Russia is Belarus’ main partner in the economic and social sectors. Despite the distance, Yakutia is no exception. Products from the enterprises Milkavita and MozyrSol are supplied from Gomel Oblast to the Russian region. Cooperation with the Gomel enterprise Kristall has good prospects. Yakutia supplies diamond rough to Gomel, and both sides are working on the issue of precious metals.

Chairperson of the Gomel Oblast Council of Deputies Yekaterina Zenkevich emphasized that warm friendly and partner relations have been established between residents of the two regions and continue to develop confidently. The parties also discussed regular visits of schoolchildren from Yakutia to Gomel. This year, students of Belarusian State University of Transport will undergo internships at Yakutian Railway.

The meeting also highlighted that Gomel Oblast pays great attention to preserving historical memory, commemorating the feat of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War, maintaining existing memorials, and opening new ones. The day before, the Russian delegation visited the memorial Children Victims of War in Krasny Bereg, Zhlobin District, the Museum of Battle for Dnieper in Loyev, and also paid respects at the grave of their fellow countryman - Hero of the Soviet Union Fyodor Popov, buried in Loyev District.

“Belarus has long been a partner for us in social and economic development. Intergovernmental agreements have been signed between Yakutia and Belarus, and bilateral commissions have been established. It is within this framework that our visit took place today. Specific decisions are made to commemorate the Yakut soldiers who liberated Belarus, in Loyev District, where Fyodor Popov, our countryman, rests. We have agreed to establish a memorial on this site, which will list the names of over 700 Yakuts who fought in the Great Patriotic War and liberated Belarus,” said Afanasy Vladimirov, Deputy Chairman of the State Assembly of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and Chairman of the Standing Committee on State Building and Legislation.
He noted that interregional cooperation is built in several directions. “These include joint educational programs, scientific and technical cooperation, as well as culture and sports,” he said.

According to him, the Yakutia delegation will attend the Gomel Economic Forum, scheduled for May. This will help strengthen interregional ties, Afanasy Vladimirov believes.

Another joint project that the partner regions intend to implement is youth Memory Watches.