MINSK, 23 June (BelTA) – Belarus and Russia need to decide on the mutual access to scientific programs and projects, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich told the media on 22 June, BelTA has learned.
“We need to discuss the mutual access to each other's scientific projects. Today the financing of a foreign developer from the budget of another state is not allowed. However, if we have a common economic space, this means complementarity, including in science. Belarusian and Russian scientists deserve equal treatment to what concerns the implementation of scientific programs of the two countries. Participation should be decided by competition,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said. The two countries need to agree on a coordinated position in the matter in order to avoid raising barriers for scientists, he added.
According to the Chairman of the Council of the Republic, the potential of integration structures is still hugely untapped in what concerns the Union State programs. “Today the procedures of Union State programs are highly bureaucratized and complicated. The program loses its relevance once it is launched. In this respect the work of the Union State Permanent Committee should be widely reformed. Integration structures were initially set up to secure the implementation of the areas of mutual interest and free national government bodies from these duties” he said. Mikhail Myasnikovich stressed that the idea on the Union State program is conceptually approved by the two countries, the Union State Permanent Committee should take up responsibility for the further work and lead the program to its official approval. The focus should be on breakthrough areas.
These issues will be discussed during the Fourth Forum of Regions “Integration of the regions of Russia and Belarus in high technology, innovation and the information society” due in Moscow on 29-30 June. The Inter-Parliamentary Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation will hold a meeting on interregional cooperation as part of the forum. The business program of the forum includes breakout sessions with the participation of businessmen and competent ministries and agencies. The participants will discuss ways to advance the development of hi-tech competitive enterprises in Belarus and Russia, step up the cooperation in science and technology, and strengthen the role of information technology in the development of civil society institutions in the Belarus-Russia Union State. They will also consider problems and prospects associated with the harmonization of the laws in the integration context, and prospects for the cooperation between IT companies. Attention will be paid to the relations between the cities and towns of Belarus and Russia, and ways to intensify the business ties between the two countries.
The forum will feature an exhibition that will showcase joint Belarusian-Russian innovative products and technologies and youth projects. Besides, the program includes presentations of the trade, economic, and investment potential of the regions of Belarus and Russia. A fair will be held as part of the forum to demonstrate the products of some 60 Belarusian companies.
The Belarus-Russia Forum of Regions is aimed at strengthening the direct ties between the two countries, including the legislative and executive authorities, and the business communities. It is also designed to develop recommendations to improve the legislative framework in order to boost the economic growth of Belarus and Russia. The event is held under the aegis of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia.
