Opinions & Interviews

Economic cooperation seen as foundation of Belarus-Russia integration

MOSCOW, 12 April (BelTA) – Economic cooperation is a foundation of Belarus-Russia integration processes, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Vladimir Semashko said at the inaugural conference of the Association of Foreign Policy Studies named after Andrei Gromyko that took place in Moscow on 12 April, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian diplomatic mission.

“The number one task is to strengthen and promote economic cooperation and trade relations that are a pillar of integration processes between our states. I am convinced that such a policy will inevitably have a positive impact on relations with the international community, because it will contribute to the formation of a stable and predictable economic environment and will help raise investment and new technology in the region, which will consequently enable us to roll out joint products that will be in demand on the domestic and foreign markets,” the diplomat said.

Vladimir Semashko noted that the establishment of the association is an important milestone for humanitarian cooperation. “The Union State is the real achievement of Belarus and Russia. Belarusian and Russian nationals are used to having no borders between the states, to equal conditions for developing human potential. This work should be continued,” the ambassador emphasized.

The initiative to set up the association was timed to the 110th anniversary of Andrei Gromyko, a Belarus-born diplomat who was Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR for 28 years and who made a significant contribution to the formation of the post-war system of international relations. The participants of the inaugural conference also discussed preparations for the first high-level expert session of the association that will be held during the 6th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia in Saint Petersburg in July.

Taking part in the inaugural conference were Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, State Secretary of the Union State Grigory Rapota, Chairman of the International Affairs and National Security Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Sergei Rakhmanov, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia Ilyas Umakhanov, heads of academic institutions, university heads and leading scientists and experts from Belarus and Russia.

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