ORENBURG, September 6 (Itar-Tass) —— A delegation from the Czech Republic’s Liberec region has arrived in Russia’s Orenburg region for a detailed study of the latter’s economic, scientific, technical and cultural potential, as well as for the development of interregional economic and humanitarian cooperation.
The delegation started its journey from the ancient Urals town of Buzuluk, which was founded as a fortress on the Samara River in 1736. The town is located 246 kilometres from Orenburg. In years past, this was a merchant town and a centre of wheat trade. Presently, this is a town with the population of 87,800 people and advanced industry, among which the machine building, petroleum sector and processing are leaders.
Upon the results of All-Russia contests of economic development, Buzuluk was named twice as the best town of the Volga Federal District.
On Tuesday, the Czech guests held meetings with the Buzuluk business community. Besides, the delegation, headed by President of the Liberec Region Stanislav Eichler, visited the memorial cemetery of Czechoslovak and Russian soldiers, who died during WWII, and laid flowers to the tombs.
In February 1942, Buzuluk became the base of the First Czechoslovak Independent Field Battalion. Lieutenant Colonel Ludvik Svoboda was its first commander. The Battalion was formed of the former members of the Czechoslovak legion, Czechoslovak citizens (mostly refugees) living in the Soviet Union, Slovak POWs and defectors, and Volhynian Czechs (Soviet citizens of Czech origin). The battalion became the core of the future Armed Forces of Czechoslovakia.
The guests from the Czech Republic visited the home, where lived Ludvik Svoboda, in the building of the former Czechoslovakian Army headquarters, and in the home of Otakar Jaros, who was a Czech officer in the Czechoslovak forces in the Soviet Union. He was killed in the Battle of Sokolovo and became the second foreigner decorated with the highest Soviet decoration, Hero of the Soviet Union. Now, his home is the town’s school No. 6.
Later in the day, the delegation left for Orenburg, where the presentation of the economic potential of the Orenburg region will be held on Wednesday.
The regional government is confident that the Orenburg region may be attractive owing to the favourable investment conditions, openness and drive for the development of long-term relations.