Karelia and Belarus are expanding their cooperation: direct flights, industrial cooperation, and new joint projects

The official delegation from the Republic of Belarus arrived in Karelia on a working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the forestry industry, mechanical engineering, and other sectors of economy.

The 10th meeting of the Working Group on Developing Cooperation between the Republic of Karelia and the Republic of Belarus took place in Petrozavodsk. The parties summarized the joint work since the previous meeting, noted significant achievements, and outlined new steps in trade, industry, transport, digitalization, tourism, and interregional cooperation.

– Cooperation between the Republic of Karelia and the Republic of Belarus is developing across a wide range of areas, including industrial cooperation, trade, transport, tourism, agriculture, and environmental management. We've already achieved tangible results in some areas, and we're continuing to work together consistently in others, – noted Andrei Sergeyev, the Prime Minister of the Government of Karelia.

Particular attention was paid to expanding cooperation between the enterprises in Karelia and the Republic of Belarus. The Belarusian side confirmed its readiness to further develop bilateral cooperation and expand collaboration in the key areas of joint work.

According to Oleg Ermolaev, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Karelia for Economic Affairs, cooperation between the parties is developing in a number of areas, including both industry cooperation and development of direct working contacts between enterprises and relevant agencies.

One of the key practical results was the opening of direct flights between Petrozavodsk and Minsk in the 2026 summer season. This issue was developed at the initiative of the Head of Karelia Artur Parfenchikov, taking into account the opinions of the republic residents. These flights will make business and leisure trips significantly more convenient.

The delegation visit to the republic includes attendance of the production site of the OOO “Amkodor-Onego”.

– Belarus and Karelia have a long-standing partnership. We see good prospects for expanding cooperation, including those in forest management and the joint projects with the holding company “AMKODOR”, – noted Igor Malashevich, the Deputy Minister of Forestry of Belarus.

It is worth noting that the Karelian enterprises actively use the Belarusian BELAZ mining dump trucks. 78 units of equipment are in operation in the republic, and 10 dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 220 tons were shipped to the AO “Karelsky Okatysh” in 2025 and the first months of 2026.

The Karelian trade turnover with Belarus in 2025 amounted to 9.3% of the republican total foreign trade. The Karelian exports to Belarus increased by almost 18%. Currently, our companies are working on joining the Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange, discussing the “Belarusian Village” format in the Karelian retail chains, and working to bring the Karelian fish producers into the Belarusian market.