BREST, 13 November (BelTA) – Belarus’ Brest Oblast and Türkiye are aimed at strengthening cooperation in various areas. The matter was discussed at a meeting between Brest Oblast Governor Piotr Parkhomchik and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Türkiye to Belarus Güçlü Cem Işık on 12 November,
BelTA has learned.
This is the first visit of the diplomat to Brest Oblast. Piotr Parkhomchik briefed the ambassador on the advantages of the southwestern region, its economic development and attractions. “Our products are exported to 88 countries. The capital of 34 countries is present in the region. We do not rest on our laurels, continue working hard and invite investors to our region,” the Brest Oblast governor said.
In particular, Brest Oblast will be interested in developing cooperation in industry (including light industry), woodworking. Piotr Parkhomchik suggested organizing a meeting of business circles of Brest Oblast and Türkiye. “We will secure a good organization of this event. We have all the opportunities, and most importantly, the desire to do this,” the governor said.
In his words, the region has great tourist potential. “Of course, Türkiye’s experience in this area will be of great use for us,” Piotr Parkhomchik said. “Brest has an airport with a good runway that is capable of receiving all types of aircraft. We conduct regular flights with Moscow. We are also working to launch flights to St. Petersburg. Belarusians show a great interest in vacations in Türkiye every year. Charter flights are carried out during the tourist season. I think this topic can be further developed, as there are many travellers who want to spend their vacations in Türkiye.
Belarus and Türkiye enjoy friendly relations, Güçlü Cem Işık said. The ambassador tours the country’s regions, explores opportunities for cooperation. “We aim to develop cooperation. We are always ready to exchange experience. We adhere to the approach that trade should be balanced. Türkiye has never considered Belarus purely as a market for its goods. We would like you to buy our products. We would like to buy the products you make. And we would like to sell the jointly produced products to third markets,” the diplomat said.
The ambassador also emphasized the importance of interregional cooperation. “Brest and Antalya maintain twinning relations. We are convinced that we should give more impetus to the development of twinning relations between the cities,” Güçlü Cem Işık said. According to him, maintaining twinning ties helps in establishing contacts, removing possible obstacles in building relations between countries. “It is important to know how to manage the available opportunities. As for the development of twinning relations between, we are to hold meetings with the competent structures in Antalya to add impetus to this work,” the diplomat added.
The program of the ambassador's working trip envisages a visit to the Brest Fortress Hero Memorial Complex and a number of enterprises of the regional center.