Komi Republic Delegation Forges New Ties with Belarus in Landmark Visit
During a visit by a delegation from the Republic of Komi to Belarus, a working meeting took place between Dmitry Bratyenko, the head of the regional government, and Alexander Khodzhaev, Belarus's Minister of Health.
The delegation's trip was organized on the instructions of Rostislav Goldstein, the head of the Republic of Komi, and aims to strengthen cooperation between Komi and Belarus.
The meeting at Belarus's Ministry of Health was also attended by Sergei Yemelyanov, Deputy Head of the Komi government, and Alisa Naumenko, the republic's representative in Russia's Northwestern Federal District. The Belarusian side included officials from several ministries—industry, health, agriculture and food, culture, and sports—as well as the National Tourism Agency.
The parties discussed both economic and humanitarian issues, including cultural and sports exchanges, reflecting their shared commitment to expanding bilateral ties.
As part of the visit, the delegation toured Belarusian engineering plants, the Minsk Research and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology, and Hematology, and reviewed developments by the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.
Dmitry Bratyenko and Alexander Khodzhaev explored potential cooperation in healthcare. Additionally, plans are underway to organize a business mission to Belarus.
Bratyenko emphasized that interest in Belarusian technologies and products—particularly in agriculture and medicine—will further strengthen relations between the two regions.
Future initiatives include hosting a presentation in Komi of Belarusian fire and utility vehicles, as well as considering the purchase of modern MAZ-350 tourist buses. Special attention was given to agricultural cooperation, with Komi ready to offer its unique products. At the 2026 Belagro exhibition, Komi Holding plans to showcase Intinskaya reindeer meat, products from the Syktyvkar bakery, and MakBush coffee. The parties also agreed to develop the "Belarusian Village" project, an initiative to facilitate mutual food and pharmaceutical supplies.
The collaboration will also extend to the cultural sphere. Performances by artists from the Komi Republic Opera and Ballet Theatre are planned at the stage of Belarus's Bolshoi Theatre, while Minsk intends to send a troupe from the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theatre to Syktyvkar. The practice of inviting Belarusian teams to Komi—specifically to the Raisa Smetanina Ski Complex—will continue. In turn, a delegation from the Komi Republic will participate in Belarus's Olimpia Youth Festival for the first time.
To implement all planned initiatives, each area has been assigned to the relevant ministries. Shortly after the May holidays, a video conference is scheduled with Yuri Zolotarev, Russia's Trade Representative in Belarus, for final coordination.
"We are confident that this visit will mark a new stage in the development of our relations and open up additional opportunities for cooperation," noted Dmitry Bratynenko.
The visit by the Komi Republic's delegation to Belarus underscores the importance of bilateral engagement and the shared commitment to joint development across various fields. The agreements reached and proposals prepared are expected to lay the foundation for further strengthening ties between the Komi Republic and the Republic of Belarus.
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