GRODNO, June 26 (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to step up Belarus-Lithuania cooperation in the areas of tourism and alternative energy and the interregional collaboration, said Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky as he met with his Lithuanian counterpart Andrius Kubilius in Grodno on June 26. According to the Belarusian Premier, in the time of the global crisis the bilateral cooperation should emphasize the diversification of trade, expansion of joint ventures and vigorous investment cooperation. “The regional safety depends in large part on our joint efforts today. In early 2009, the trade and economic cooperation was gaining momentum. If we add services and capital circulation, the trade will make up $1 billion which is a very good result. We should develop our success. We should seek ways to reverse the crisis trends,” Sergei Sidorsky said. The Belarusian Premier reiterated the importance of discussing the bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership initiative. “We are ready to implement projects, for example, in energy and transit,” he added. Sergei Sidorsky thinks it possible to discuss the development of roadside service. The Belarusian government has adopted a relevant programme and Lithuania can take part in it. “It is crucial to discuss what we can do together to mitigate the impact of the crisis, stabilize the trade, prevent economic downturn, support business,” the Premier said.

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