The 5th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia is taking place in Mogilev
Accents are set
The themes of the main and accompanying events cover the most important aspects of the bilateral agenda: food security, coordinated industrial and socio-economic policy, cooperation in high technologies and innovations, and youth policy. "Over the years of the Union State's existence, Belarus and Russia have achieved a high level of industrial and scientific-technical cooperation. And the reserves are not exhausted. Our task is not only to maintain the dynamics of bilateral interaction but also to significantly add to what we have," said Mikhail Myasnikovich, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.
An important element of this work is the unification and harmonization of national legislations. It is this process that can ensure the functioning of unified markets, the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor – the strategic goals that our countries are striving for.
The central event of the V Forum of Regions on October 12 will be a plenary session on the theme "Priority directions for the development of regional cooperation as a key factor of integration and union building," which will be held with the participation of heads of state Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin. This theme was not chosen by chance, as ties between regions are becoming an increasingly significant factor in strengthening Belarusian-Russian partnership. Sections will work on five thematic areas: agrarian policy, digital economy development, international activities and economic security, unification and harmonization of legislation, and social and civic activity of youth.
Mutually beneficial cooperation
When discussing the effectiveness of regional forums, the focus is often placed on contract values. "This is undoubtedly an important component of the forum's program," noted Mikhail Myasnikovich. "This year, for the first time, it includes the Council for Business Cooperation, which will bring together the heads of economic entities from both countries. Such meetings not only contribute to strengthening business contacts and aligning our positions on many issues but also give impetus to joint projects."
Promising areas in this regard include chemistry, electronics, pharmacology, biotechnology, and the IT industry. Companies from third countries can also be involved in union projects.
The fact that the number of commercial contracts and agreements signed at the forum grows each year indicates the demand for this platform. For example, if at the II Forum of Regions in Sochi, contracts totaling $230 million were concluded, at the third forum in Minsk – more than $300 million, and at the fourth in Moscow – over $400 million. During the forums, 139 cooperation agreements have been signed, and export commercial contracts worth over $930 million have been concluded. All of this ultimately works to strengthen the economic potential of our countries, contributes to the creation of new jobs, and enhances people's well-being.
Unification of Legislation
One of the goals of the Treaty on the Creation of the Union State is the formation of a single economic space. The harmonization and unification of legislation are means to achieve this. In the Union State, citizens are guaranteed equal rights in key areas of life, such as labor, social protection, education, and healthcare.
Civil and labor legislation have been largely harmonized – they enshrine similar approaches to legal regulation. Eurasian integration has played a significant role in the process of aligning legislation. It has allowed for substantial unification and harmonization in many important areas: customs regulation, public procurement, and others. "But this has become possible, in part, thanks to the enormous work that has been done within the Union State.
There is potential for further convergence, but we do not consider this process an end in itself. It is important to identify areas where harmonization and unification will bring mutual benefit to our countries: they will contribute to strengthening investment potential, industrial cooperation, and, most importantly, will improve the lives of our citizens.
"Currently, the Concept for the Convergence of Legislation of the Member States of the Treaty on the Creation of a Union State is being developed. The Council of the Republic is actively working on this document," Mikhail Myasnikovich explained in conclusion.
Source: BelTA.