Long-term economic ties with Lithuania among Belarus’ priorities

VILNIUS, 4 December (BelTA) – Cooperation with neighboring Lithuania is among the foreign policy priorities of Belarus, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to Lithuania Vladimir Drazhin said at the press conference timed to the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Belarus and Lithuania, BelTA has learnt.

The Ambassador emphasized that Belarus and Lithuania are building their relations using the principles of good neighborliness and pragmatic cooperation, common history and mutual respect. The long-standing economic cooperation with Lithuania meets strategic interests of Belarus and has great capacities, in particular, in power engineering, education, healthcare, culture and science, sport, tourist, and regional cooperation.

When asked about Belarus’ plans to re-channel Belarusian cargo from Lithuania to Russian ports, the ambassador said that in cargo transportation, just like in any other industry, competition is unavoidable.

Vladimir Drazhin emphasized the importance of international Belarus-Lithuania economic forums that give an impetus to the development of economic relations of the two countries. The first forum was held in Klaipeda in 2005; the 8th international Belarus-Lithuania economic forum was held in Grodno in April 2012. The next one will take place in Klaipeda. According to Vladimir Drazhin, Lithuania is among the most important export destinations for Belarus. The bilateral trade exceeded $1 billion in 2011.