Officials in Sverdlovsk Oblast, a federal subject of Russia in the Urals Federal District, are interested in increasing cooperation with the government of Belarus, the governor of the region said on Monday.

"Although Belarus is thousands of kilometers away from us, we are united by the desire to live and work together," Presidential Envoy to the Urals Federal District Yevgeny Kuivashev said to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Kuivashev noted that a priority for Sverdlovsk Oblast is to develop contacts with the countries within the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Representatives from the Business Cooperation Council of Belarus and Sverdlosk Oblast are expected to meet today to discuss future activities and the current state. There are 94 delegates representing Sverdlovsk Oblast from a variety of sectors. Because of the number of representatives, these agreements will cover the economy as well as other issues and areas of concern.