Ukraine, Belarus prepare to hold first forum of regions

KIEV, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko discussed the preparations for the first forum between their countries' regions over phones on Tuesday, Poroshenko's press service said.

According to the statement issued by the Ukrainian presidential press service, the first Forum of regions of Ukraine and Belarus will be held later this year in Belarusian southeastern city of Gomel, which lies near the border with Ukraine.

During their talks, Poroshenko and Lukashenko noted that the forum will intensify the trade, economic and cultural cooperation between the regions of Ukraine and Belarus, the statement said.

Ukraine and Belarus agreed to hold the forum during the visit of Lukashenko to Ukraine in July last year.

The trade turnover between Ukraine and Belarus increased by about 18 percent to 4.3 billion U.S. dollars last year. Enditem