GRODNO, 1 July (BelTA) - Russia and Belarus do not only preserve, but also take to a new level the glorious traditions of strong friendship and mutual assistance, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his video address to the participants of the plenary session “The role of interregional cooperation in deepening the Union State integration processes” at the 9th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia in Grodno on 1 July, BelTA has learned.
“It is symbolic that the forum is taking place in the run-up to Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus, which is marked on 3 July. On this day in 1944, Minsk was liberated from the Nazi invaders. Therefore, I would like to sincerely congratulate Belarusian friends on the upcoming public holiday. We will always remember that during the years of the Great Patriotic War our peoples defended freedom and independence shoulder to shoulder, brought peace to all of Europe at the cost of huge sacrifices. Most importantly, Russia and Belarus do not only preserve, but also take to a new level the glorious traditions of strong friendship and mutual assistance,” Vladimir Putin said.
The president of Russia emphasized that every year the Forum of Regions discusses the most pressing issues of bilateral cooperation. “This time the forum also highlights an important topic - the role of interregional cooperation in integration processes within the Union State. I believe that the forum participants will put forward useful initiatives that will be used by the governments and government agencies of our countries to harmonize the economic policies and legislation of Russia and Belarus in the field of trade, investment, finances, public administration and in general to strengthen the Union State market,” he noted. “In November last year, the supreme state body of the Union State approved the main guidelines for the implementation of the 2021-2023 provisions of the Union State Treaty and 28 Union State programs that are designed to give a powerful impetus to economic integration between Russia and Belarus. New Union State programs for the period starting from 2024 are already in the works. All these decisions seek to create a level-playing field for our economic operators and to lay a reliable foundation for the common financial, energy and transport market, a common macroeconomic, technological, industrial, agricultural and digital policy”.
The plenary session brought together heads of ministries and government agencies, enterprises and organizations, representatives of Belarusian and Russian business communities.
