Aleksandr Chervyakov. An archive photo
MINSK, 7 April (BelTA) – Technological independence should become an important component of the security concept of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. Belarusian Economy Minister Aleksandr Chervyakov made the statement as he commented on results of the latest session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, BelTA has learned.
According to Aleksandr Chervyakov, reference points for Belarus-Russia integration were stipulated by the main guidelines on implementing provisions of the Union State Foundation Treaty in 2021-2023 and a package of 28 Union State programs. The economy minister said: “Three fourths of the planned measures have already been implemented. Eight programs have been fully realized: on nuclear energy industry, integration of information systems for product traceability in the sphere of product marking, transport control, issuance of veterinary and phytosanitary certificates for agricultural products, programs on aligning legislation on financial sector and in the area of unified competition rules. As part of the efforts to implement the programs 26 bilateral documents of various levels were signed, including on matters concerning taxation, harmonization of customs legislation, the unified industrial policy. The work continues. We intend to sign about ten other documents this year.”
Tighter Belarus-Russia economic and political interaction has allowed not only successfully withstanding external challenges but also significantly stepping up mutual trade. In 2022 Belarus-Russia trade exceeded $45 billion, with Belarus’ export to the Russian Federation reaching a record high of nearly $23 billion. Russia’s share in Belarus’ total trade reached 60% while Belarus’ share in Russia’s import rose to 9% and considerably exceeded the average of the last 20 years (5-6%). “This year we intend to increase deliveries to the Russian Federation by 6.5% or $1.5 billion,” Aleksandr Chervyakov said.
The minister also talked about the existing potential for cooperation in other areas. “There are great untapped reserves in manufacturing cooperation. The governments have determined 16 promising integration projects in microelectronics and machine building,” he noted.
The development of the security concept of the Union State of Belarus and Russia was one of the important topics discussed by the Supreme State Council. “Massive sanctions-fuelled pressure on the part of unfriendly countries pushed to the forefront the problem of vulnerability of our economies in the technological sphere. This is why we believe that this document should contain matters concerning the enhancement of technological security. The Economy Ministry has prepared a draft action plan on ensuring technological security in machine building. It is the first step of the large work on working out the concept of technological security of the Republic of Belarus. Later on the worked out approaches will be upscaled into other areas. This is why key components of the national concept may become the foundation for preparing the security concept of the Union State of Belarus and Russia,” Aleksandr Chervyakov said.
