Rustem Khamitov met with representatives of Russian and Belarusian journalistic community

UFA, 28 September 2018. /Bashinform News Agency/ translated by Tatiana Aksyutina/. Yesterday, the Head of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov met with representatives of the community of journalists and bloggers of Russia and Belarus "Friends-Syabry" in the Ufa Congress Hall. In the capital of the republic, they take part in the regional TV journalistic workshop at "Bashkortostan" State TV and Radio Company, as well as in the ceremony of awarding the 3rd All-Russian Award «Mobile Reporter».

During the conversation, the Head of the Region spoke about the socio-economic development of Bashkortostan, the strengthening of interregional and international cooperation, as well as about the upcoming major events that will take place in the republic in the next years - the Small Business Forum of the Regions of the SCO and BRICS member-states, the International Children's Games, the World Folklore Festival and the International Beekeeping Congress "Apimondia", having invited the Belarusian delegation to them.

Rustem Khamitov noted that between Bashkortostan and Belarus not only partnership, but really friendly relations had developed. The office of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Russian Federation successfully operates in Ufa, which supervises the issues of trade and economic cooperation with Bashkortostan, Udmurtia, Orenburg, Samara regions, and Perm Territory. Representatives of the leading Belarusian companies participate in major industry forums conducted in Bashkortostan.

The republic is inhabited by the Belarusian diaspora, concentrated mainly in Iglino district. A historical and cultural center operates there, in the village of Baltika, where national festivals are held annually. The Belarusian language is studied in some schools.

According to the Head of the Region, the most promising areas for strengthening cooperation are petrochemicals, road construction, agriculture, including cooperation in the production of agricultural machinery. In addition, it is planned to attract Belarusian specialists to repair the Ufa tram fleet.

Rustem Khamitov said that a draft agreement had been prepared between Belarus and Bashkortostan on the development of cooperation in trade and economic, scientific, technical, environmental, humanitarian, cultural and other fields. The document is scheduled to be signed in the near future.

The head and co-founder of the Friends-Syabry project, Russian journalist Vladimir Mamontov noted that the goal of the journalistic community was to be a mediator between the two states.