MOSCOW, 27 November (BelTA) – MPs of the Belarus-Russia Union State suggest updating the Union State security concept in the wake of the new developments in the world. Such an initiative was put forward during a meeting of the workshop which the Parliamentary Assembly of the Belarus-Russia Union State runs on a permanent basis. The meeting discussed the military-technical cooperation between Russia and Belarus in the context of innovative and import-substitution efforts in Nizhny Novgorod on 25-26 November, BelTA learned from the press service of the Parliamentary Assembly.
"The outcome document of the workshop provides for the recommendations to draft a new Union State security concept. The previous concept was adopted in 1999, and requires revising and updating in connection with the big changes in the world situation,” the press service noted.
The participants of the meeting outlined the main areas where the two countries can boost cooperation. The two parties need to step up work to improve the regulatory and legal framework for military-technical cooperation between Russia and Belarus, to develop the military-industrial complexes and promote innovations, and create favorable conditions for the integration of defense enterprises.
The meeting suggested undertaking an analysis of the national legislation of the Russian Federation and Belarus to identify the norms that prevent mutual participation of enterprises in the implementation of state defense orders. The next step will be to update the national legal frameworks of the states parties to the Union State Treaty. In addition, it is recommended to consider the possibility of developing the concept of a joint defense order of the Union State.
Talking about the innovative technologies and import substitution in defense, the participants in the meeting supported the idea of joint Belarusian-Russian development and manufacture of new weapons, and promotion of exports to other countries. The Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation of Russia and the State Military-Industrial Committee of Belarus are recommended to consider the possibility of preparing the Union State programs on joint design of promising models of weapons and military equipment. The Union State Permanent Committee was encouraged to support the initiatives and to provide assistance to the state customers in developing new programs and improving the control over the execution of the programs currently in progress.
“MPs of the Parliamentary Assembly expressed readiness to take an active part in addressing urgent issues regarding the military-technical cooperation between Belarus and Russia and provide assistance in strengthening the defense capabilities of the Union State,” the press service stressed.
Attending the event, apart from Union State MPs, were representatives of the Union State Permanent Committee, ministries and departments, the authorities of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, experts and academic figures of the two states. Recommendations for the government bodies of Russia, Belarus and the Union State were elaborated using the reports and discussions held between the participants of the event.
