Minsk Oblast seeks to cooperate with Switzerland in healthcare and education; a possibility to open a branch of a Swiss university in the region is under discussion. Cooperation prospects between Minsk Oblast and Switzerland were discussed at the meeting of Minsk Oblast Governor Aleksandr Turchin with Co-chair of the Belarus-Switzerland parliamentary group of friendship Margret Kiener Nellen, BelTA learned from the press service of the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee.

Aleksandr Turchin noted that Belarus-Switzerland relations have made great progress and the credit for that partly goes to Margret Kiener Nellen. According to the governor, Minsk Oblast and Switzerland have great cooperation prospects, in particular in healthcare and education.

“Our region has the country's biggest cancer treatment facilities, therefore we are interested in the exchange of knowledge and specialists in this field of medicine. In addition to that, Minsk Oblast is the country's only region with no regional university of its own. Maybe, one of Swiss universities would want to open a branch in Minsk Oblast,” Aleksandr Turchin said.

Margret Kiener Nellen noted that Belarus-Switzerland relations have improved significantly. “There are still many more steps to be taken. I have already explored a possibility of cooperation in healthcare. I believe that our undertakings will be successful. I am also familiar with education-related matters. It makes sense to consider establishing some industry-specific facility,” she added.

In 2019 the trade between Minsk Oblast and Switzerland amounted to $141.5 million, including $15.3 million of export and $126.2 million of import.