On 24 November, in Minsk, the Governor of the Yaroslav region, Mihail Evraev, met with the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko. The parties discussed cooperation.

The Jaroslav region and the Republic of Belarus have strong multi-year traditions of friendship and business cooperation, as enshrined in bilateral documents and regular contacts. Industry, productive cooperation, APC, science and education, health, culture and inter-municipal relations are the most active interface.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that Belarus was prepared not only to deepen but also to expand partnerships on all fronts, including the joint development of new vehicle kits.

♪ This is very important, especially now that we have set ourselves to achieve independence, as we say, technological sovereignty in our countries. We must ensure that we are all necessary, as was the case in our common country, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. I know your region is advanced, sufficiently developed.

The Jaroslava engines are successfully operating on IAP buses, a new shipment of 100 such vehicles is expected in December. There is an interest in the purchase of small-scale mechanization and electric vehicles for APC and utilities. Considerable potential for the supply of jaroslav paint products and components for the main engineering plants of the Republic.

♪ We speak one language, we are indeed native peoples. Our cooperation — economic, cultural, sports, educational — is the foundation for the future, the impetus for the development of the standard and quality of life of people in Belarus, and in the Yaroslav region, and in general in Russia — was said by Michael Everev. The key challenge is the technological sovereignty of our countries and industrial cooperation. We cooperate on the principles of mutual respect so that both the Jaroslav region and the Republic of Belarus are given a new impetus for further development.

Alexander Lukashenko reported that Belarus was ready to share its experience with the Yaroslav region in the APC area. The parties also agreed to intensify cooperation among universities, strengthen cooperation in the field of culture and promote mutual tourism flows. An important step will be the organization of direct air communications between Minsk and Yaroslav. Opportunities will be created after the introduction of a millionaire airport, which is planned to open in 2028 in the region.

In an interview with Michael Evraev, Alexander Lukashenko praised the success of the Jaroslav hockey team, the owner of Kubka Gagarin this year.

Background

The trade between the region and the Republic of Belarus increased by 18 per cent last year, reaching almost $300 million.

Specific projects are implemented within the framework of the bilateral cooperation programme, which was signed in 2014 and updated every two years.

In 2015, an agreement was signed between the Government of the Jaroslav region and the Government of the Republic of Belarus on trade, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation, and in January 2024 the bilateral cooperation programme for 2024-2025.

On an ongoing basis, Autodies, the Paultai Motor Plant, the FMWO, PAO ODC-Satourne, the Yaroslav paints association, the Observatory, the Autros, the CCARO and other enterprises are working with Belarusian partners.

In addition, some 30 companies with Belarusian capital have been registered and are operating in the Yaroslav region.

Municipalities in the Yaroslav region and the Republic of Belarus are interacted, contacts are made through public organizations, education and many other activities.