Nizhny Novgorod Region and Belarus approved a new cooperation program.

      April 2, 2026 12:19 Politics NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" - Maria Orlova A new three-year program for the development of inter-municipal cooperation between the Nizhny Novgorod region and the Republic of Belarus has been signed. The solemn ceremony took place at the General Consulate of Belarus in Nizhny Novgorod, reports NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" correspondent. The document is designed for 2026-2028 and is already the third program of this format. The new document includes more than 450 events and effectively defines the plan for joint work of municipalities for the next three years. As emphasized by the Minister of International and Interregional Relations of the region, Olga Guseva, the Nizhny Novgorod region remains the only subject of the Russian Federation where interaction within the framework of sister city relations is formalized in the form of a separate comprehensive program. Currently, Nizhny Novgorod municipalities have 26 sister cities in Belarus. In addition, the region has established partnerships with five regions of the republic — Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, and Minsk. At the upcoming Forum of Regions of Russia and Belarus in Minsk in June, it is planned to sign a cooperation agreement with the Mogilev region. It is also expected that Nizhny Novgorod will formalize sister city relations with Novopolotsk. The General Consul of the Republic of Belarus in Nizhny Novgorod, Oleg Shvets, noted that cooperation between the two countries is consistently developing both in the economy and in the humanitarian sphere. According to him, in recent years, trade and economic interaction has significantly strengthened, creating a basis for expanding cultural, educational, and patriotic projects. He emphasized that the inter-municipal cooperation program elevates interaction to the level of specific cities and residents, with initiatives being formed directly on the ground. The representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Nizhny Novgorod, Sergey Malov, in turn, noted that the format of the Union State ensures the absence of barriers for the movement of citizens, goods, and services, and the Republic of Belarus remains one of the key partners of Russian regions. He noted that the Nizhny Novgorod region has a Business Cooperation Council with the Republic of Belarus — one of three in Russia. Its co-chair from the Belarusian side is the Prime Minister of the republic. In other regions, interaction is usually carried out in the format of working groups led by relevant ministers and heads of subjects. The representative of the Foreign Ministry separately emphasized the significance of the opening of the Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus in Nizhny Novgorod last year, which, in addition to consular functions, includes a trade representation and actively develops humanitarian and municipal cooperation. Let us remind you that April 2 is celebrated as the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia. In a message to Belarusians, the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Gleb Nikitin, called the region's cooperation with the republic "a chronicle of sincere partnership." NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay informed about the main events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+