12 March 2004
French ambassador visits Brest region
"I try to bring more France to Belarus and the Brest region," Stephane Chmelewsky, the French ambassador to Belarus, told reporters in Brest on Thursday, while speaking about the purpose of his two-day visit to the region.
On March 11, the diplomat had a meeting with Konstantin Sumar, chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee, to discuss the European Union's enlargement, customs practices and transit
conditions, the development of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and cultural contacts. "I want to see the life of a region that will soon border on the European Union," Mr. Chmelewsky said at a news conference that followed the meeting. "I visited a customhouse yesterday, and today I am going to familiarize myself with the operation of a freight traffic checkpoint, visit the free economic zone and talk to representatives of non-governmental organizations," he said.
The ambassador's visit coincided with the beginning of the Francophone Week in Brest. It began on Wednesday with performances of works by Chopin in the local Music College and a showing of Francois Ozon's Huit Femmes (Eight Women).
The region maintains close contacts with French provinces in the cultural and economic spheres, according to the regional government's Information Office. In particular, several local dance companies and orchestras toured France last year. Last year's trade between the Brest region and France totaled $18.5 million, with the region's trade deficit amounting to $10.5 million. It supplied France with textile clothing, casein, furniture and fabrics and imported chemical products, meat and meat products, polymer and textile materials, vehicles, liquor and various equipment. The region has four enterprises involving French capital. The Brest government currently seeks to establish contacts with the Agricultural Chamber of the Finistere province and considers joint machine-building projects with the Paris-based LOAD.
http://brestonline.com/en/news/news500.html