European Union’s transboundary programs for Belarus-Lithuania regional cooperation

       The potential of transboundary programs of the European Union should be used in cooperation between regions of Belarus and Lithuania. The statement was made by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lithuania to Belarus Evaldas Ignatavicius at the 3rd Belarusian-Lithuanian regional cooperation forum in Grodno, BelTA reports. The Lithuanian diplomat believes that not all the opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between Lithuania and Belarus have been used. In 2013 the bilateral trade reached €2 billion, with Lithuania reporting a 20% growth. At present Lithuanian investments in Belarus amount to $650 million. Future cooperation in transportation and logistics, in the organization of container and piggyback transportation, the transport corridor East-West looks interesting.
The Lithuanian side is also interested in cooperation in tourism. In 2013 Lithuania welcomed 430,000 Belarusian tourists, 12% up from 2012. “The potential should be exploited using capabilities of European Union funds and international technical aid programs,” said the Ambassador.