Opinion: Russia, Belarus build up Union State integration amid sanctions

In the face of sanctions Russia and Belarus are strengthening multi-faceted integration within the framework of the Union State, Vice Prime Minister of Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia Sergey Eliseev said at the kick-off meeting on the project “Russia – Belarus: Strong partnership”, BelTA has learned.

“Amid the western sanctions Russia and Belarus are enhancing multi-faceted integration within the framework of the Union State, joint initiatives in scientific and academic fields, common history and culture, information and youth policy, closer interregional business ties, the removal of various barriers in order to improve the well-being of our citizens,” Sergey Eliseev said.

“Advancing the integration within the Union State, above all between people, is the best answer to hostile actions on the part of some states. Our partnership is based on a solid legal foundation. As of today the legal framework of the Russia-Belarus relations includes more than 300 interstate and intergovernmental treaties and agreements. Belarus' cooperation with the federal subjects of Russia is based on the agreements on cooperation in economy and trade, science and technology, and culture,” he added.

“In 2022, the Union State Borders forum was held in Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad Oblast. It brought together leading experts, scholars, MPs and senators, businessmen and civil society representatives. In his welcome address, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin noted that the forum would discuss some key issues of interaction and technological sovereignty of Russia and Belarus in the context of illegal sanctions and restrictions and also work out integration proposals. In this regard, our project ‘Russia-Belarus: Strong partnership' plays the key role in deepening integration between our civil societies”, Sergey Eliseev said.