On December 14, in Ufa, as part of the International Business Week - 2022, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan Andrey Nazarov, in the format of a business breakfast, a meeting of the Public Council of the Representation of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly in the Republic of Bashkortostan was held. The meeting discussed the prospects for international cooperation and development of people's diplomacy.
“In today's economic context, people's diplomacy is becoming an important foreign policy resource. This is what we see as one of the main objectives of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly, which unites representatives of more than 50 countries of the Eurasian continent in its ranks. Over the past two years, the Representative Office of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly in Bashkortostan has implemented a number of major projects in the republic, - Andrey Nazarov said. - In the context of today's meeting, I would like to note the interaction of our Representative Office with businessmen from Italy. We have managed to create a trusting atmosphere for fruitful cooperation between Italian and Russian entrepreneurs.”
As the head of the Cabinet noted, a Committee for Cooperation with the Italian Republic was established under the Representative Office. In modern conditions of severe sanctions restrictions, its activities are a kind of bridge not only in cultural and integration interaction, but also in building economic cooperation.
“Of course, we need to enhance cooperation with other foreign partners. I am glad that representatives of the embassies and consulates of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Belarus and Turkey are present at the meeting today. In terms of interaction with representatives of the business community of these countries, the possibilities of "people's diplomacy" of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly should be used to the maximum," - Andrey Nazarov said.
As the Deputy Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly Stanislav Korolev said, this non-governmental organization has implemented more than two thousand events in different countries of the world. According to him, regular communication with foreign colleagues indicates that European entrepreneurs want to maintain relations with Russia, regardless of politics.
“Russia will always be a country that cannot be bypassed, and Bashkortostan is located in its very center. A huge number of opportunities are open for the republic, and I sincerely wish their successful implementation,” - Stanislav Korolev emphasized.
The Republic of Bashkortostan is an active participant in foreign economic activity and maintains international relations with 113 countries of the world. Since 2017, the investments of the Eurasian partner countries in Bashkortostan have grown by 15.6% - from 1,054 million to 1,219 million US dollars. It is important for Bashkortostan to expand foreign economic relations with the Eurasian countries. Support for investment projects is carried out 24/7 - at the regional level by industry departments or the Development Corporation, at the municipal level - by business sheriffs.
Rustam Muratov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Minister for Economic Development and Investment Policy of the Republic of Bashkortostan, indicated that the republic will provide comprehensive support to international and interregional projects, including those initiated through the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly, so that they reach their logical conclusion, and the humanitarian and social component of “soft” diplomacy will allow us to move in the right direction.
During the event, Stanislav Korolev conveyed greetings to the participants of the meeting on behalf of the Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly Andrey Belyaninov and in a solemn atmosphere presented the Letter of Appreciation of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly to Andrei Nazarov for his contribution to the development of peace and mutual understanding between the peoples of the countries of Greater Eurasia, as well as for assistance in strengthening economic, scientific, cultural and international cooperation.
In turn, the Prime Minister presented letters of thanks from the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan to Elio Cappiello and Andre Bettoni, representatives of the Italian regional non-profit organization Sant'Agostino, Alexander Filippov, head of the Committee for the Development of Spiritual Culture, Literature and Art of the Representation, Olga Mukhametzyanova, employee of the Assembly Representation Office, and also handed over Letters of thanks to the First Deputy Secretary General - Head of the General Secretariat of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly Svetlana Smirnova and Deputy Head of the General Secretariat of the Eurasian Peoples' Assembly Marina Plyasunova.
At the end of the round table, its participants noted the importance of the people's diplomacy tools in the general system of international relations.