International Conference “New Horizons: Prospects for the Development of Ukrainian-Belarussian Relations

“New Horizons: Prospects for the Development of Ukrainian-Belarussian Relations at International, Interest and Interregional Levels”-it was on this topic on November 30, 2009 in the conference hall of the Regional Council that an international conference was held with the participation of Natalia Romanova, Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Regional Development and the Department of International Cooperation of Ukraine. Chernihiv Regional Council for Interregional and Cross-Border Cooperation, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine Petro Shapoval, Vice President of the Polissya Fund Belarus in Ukraine Olesya Istomina, expert of the project Mykola Benko (Belarus) and other representatives of both states.

In the first section, speakers drew attention to the prospects for the development of cross -border cooperation between Chernihiv and Gomel regions in the framework of the Dnipro Border Community.On this issue, the chairman of the regional council Natalia Romanova also expressed her point of view, who emphasized that the current conference plays an important role in understanding the effectiveness of cooperation of regions at the interregional level. She noted that one of the main priorities of the new regional policy is cross -border inter -regional cooperation and all these components are effective resources in the development of areas located in the border zone, and Ukraine can become a good neighbor and leader in the European space. By combining efforts with neighboring regions, we have a real chance of arousing interest in Europe.

Natalia Romanova gave a high appreciation of the permanent commission of the regional council on interregional and cross -border cooperation, headed by Petro Shapoval.Petro Dmytrovych called on both parties to cooperate over the regulatory framework.

Mykola Benko, a project expert, presented the most important points of recommendations for improving regional cooperation between Chernihiv and Gomel regions.

Grigory Podgrushny voiced the problem of features and prospects of socio-economic development of the Ukrainian-Belarusian Cross-Border Region.

In the second section, the prospects of Ukrainian-Belarusian cooperation were raised at a bilateral level. Gennady Maxak was made in this regard, who presented proposals and recommendations for improving Ukraine and Belarus relations. The parties to compromise the current issues are needed, since strategic decisions reflect different models of state and social development, foreign policy guidelines, evaluation of trends in world and European development, reaction to international events and modern challenges.

Oles Istomin voiced the key theses of the Eastern Partnership, which can be left without specific content if Ukraine and Belarus do not take the role of locomotive. It requires appropriate contacts, regional agreements, as well as working groups in interregional cooperation. It is also the work of embassies, mutual trips around the region.

The third section discussed the topic of international aspects of Ukraine’s cooperation And Belarus.

The participants of the conference were presented by the book “Regional Development and Spatial Planning of the Territories: The Experience of Ukraine and Other Member States of the Council of Europe”, authored by Vasyl Kuybida, Vyacheslav Negoda, Vyacheslav Tolkovanov.

The event was supported by the Chernihiv Regional Council, the Belarusian Public Policy Fund, the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies and the Polissya Fund of International and Regional Research.