Opinions & Interviews

“When there are different forms of integration in one region, it is important to ensure that they do not interfere with each other. Thanks to the long-standing close ties in all areas, including in economy, Belarus and Russia have been the core of not only the Union State but also of the Eurasian Economic Union. They have consistently been the drivers of integration. Moreover, the Union State has been dubbed a pilot project for other integration associations,” Grigory Rapota noted.

He cited the operation principle of venture funds. “The formula for the the development of Union State programs is actually similar to the one for a well-performing venture company. The system is now well-established. It has gone through successes and failures. Now the selection of projects and programs is done very carefully. Even if a program is not fully completed, it is viewed as a success considering its overall results,” Grigory Rapota said. He noted that he can cite many such projects which later were successfully applied in the Eurasian Economic Union.

The second day of the International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk celebrates the Day of Belarus-Russia Union State. State Secretary of the Belarus-Russia Union State Grigory Rapota laid flowers at the memorial to soldiers-liberators, partisans and members of the underground movement. The official will also visit Ilya Repin’s country estate Zdravnevo to take part in the roundtable event on the art and literature legacy for future generations. In the evening, the Summer Amphitheater will invite the guests of the festival to enjoy the best songs of the Belarusian band Syabry as part of the show Union State Invites that will celebrate the anniversary of the band.

Events of the 26th International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar will run through 19 July.