Aleksandr Lukashenko
Dear participants of the 11th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia!
I welcome you and congratulate you on the opening of the forum, which became a good tradition that connects the past, the present, and the future of the peoples of Belarus and Russia a long time ago.
This year we hold the forum in Vitebsk where our cultural and historical traditions are closely intertwined.
For the first time it will take place in several cities. Each of them has a unique history. There is a special meaning to this.
Polotsk is the birthplace of Belarusian statehood and spirituality. Novopolotsk is one of the country’s youngest cities, a major industrial and scientific and educational hub. Vitebsk has celebrated 1,050 years since its foundation this year. The city is a cultural capital of Belarus. I think Russian friends have duly appreciated the hospitality and well-wishing of its residents.
We meet in the year of the 80th anniversary of our country’s liberation from the Nazi invaders. There is also its own symbolism to this. These days we recall those who gave their lives for our beloved Belarus. We thank the Soviet soldiers, our heroes, for the Victory and the opportunity to develop and make plans for the future.
One of the main lessons that we have learned from that terrible war is that fraternal peoples must always be together, stand shoulder to shoulder as they tackle emerging challenges, defend statehood, their traditions, and values. Only together can we ensure the security and well-being of our people.
Nowadays despite external pressure Belarus and Russia confidently move forward, developing the Union State integration and strengthening humanitarian ties. I believe that the Forum of Regions is one of the most successful and efficient projects of the Union State. It has become a unique dialogue platform. It has acquired its own peculiar, inimitable style and continues to expand through bold and ambitious initiatives.
A total of 588 agreements and over RUB450 billion worth of commercial contracts have been signed thanks to this forum. Serious accomplishments have been secured in aligning macroeconomic, industrial, agrarian, scientific, technological, and educational policies.
Matters concerning the establishment of an innovative economy of the Union State are being logically put on the agenda of the forum.
In the modern world it is impossible to ensure technological sovereignty and national security without developing and introducing innovative solutions.
Belarus and Russia have everything in place to do this. We have preserved the best scientific schools and have solid infrastructure. We pursue a common industrial policy and build a common scientific and technological space. And most importantly, we have great human potential.
A number of scientific and manufacturing projects have been implemented in the last few years. Unmanned haul trucks have been created. Unique technologies for individualized healthcare and personal identification have been worked out.
We have built the Belarusian nuclear power plant. We have started manufacturing multifunctional aviation complexes. We have designed a system for the remote sensing of Earth for the sake of preventing emergencies, for designing and building roads, for protecting the environment. We explore the outer space together and intend to make state-of-the-art aircraft.
Certainly, a lot has been accomplished. But we cannot rest on our accomplishments. We should strive to make innovations the key motive force of the economies of Belarus and Russia.
Proactivity, creativity, unconventional thinking should set trends in the economic development of our countries. The accomplishment of these tasks requires training highly qualified specialists. This is why priority attention should be paid to the preservation and enhancement of potential in the sphere of science and education.
It is impossible to develop an innovative economy in our countries without an active stance of the regions.
The establishment of high-tech enterprises at the local level can become the most promising and sustainable points of economic growth. Such projects will help accomplish social tasks such as the creation of new jobs, the preservation of the human resources potential in the regions, and the encouragement of young people to choose manufacturing sector careers. We should not forget that ultimately all our efforts should be geared towards making people’s lives better.
Dear friends!
I am absolutely convinced that ideas of the current Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia will be implemented. We will reach a new level of integration of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, a new level of development of cutting-edge technologies and innovations, the realization of our strategic priorities.
I wish successful and fruitful work for the benefit of the peoples of Belarus and Russia to everyone.
Thank you for your attention.
