First Belarusian-Latvian forum of twin-towns to draw 300 participants

VITEBSK, 28 March (BelTA) - About 300 people will take part in the first Belarusian-Latvian forum of twin-towns “Prospects of Belarusian-Latvian regional and twin-town cooperation” in Novopolotsk, BelTA learnt form the ideology department of the Novopolotsk town hall. The forum opened on 28 March. Today Novopolotsk will welcome representatives of delegations of the diplomatic missions of Latvia in Belarus, and Belarus in Latvia, mayors of the twin-towns and those who have yet to find a partner. The main events of the forum are scheduled for 29 March. The program includes the official opening ceremony of the forum, the signing of agreements on cooperation and a plenary meeting. The speakers include Chairman of the Belarusian organization “Twinned towns” Boris Batura, Belarusian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Gerasimenko, head of the Society for Economic Relations between Latvia and Belarus Alfred Cepanis. Besides, the participants of the forum will get familiar with investment projects of Vitebsk Oblast, and attend an exhibition of regional companies. Over 30 twin-town agreements have been signed so far, with 19 of them with the towns from Vitebsk Oblast. Over 10 pairs more are currently building up contacts. Apart from this, 27 administrative districts of Latvia have expressed their intention to find twin-towns in Belarus. Novopolotsk has been chosen the venue for the forum for a reason. The town has a rich experience in establishing such contacts. Novopolotsk has so far signed 16 agreements on cooperation in culture and economy with the cities of different countries including Latvia.

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