SOCHI, 15 February (BelTA) - Presidents of Belarus and Russia Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin are visiting Sirius Education Center in Sochi, BelTA has learned.
The presidents are set to discuss humanitarian cooperation issues on 15 February. After a joint walk around of the education center, talking to students, among whom are citizens of Belarus, the heads of state will hold a working meeting with participation of the ministers in charge of culture, education and sport.
Sirius Education Center was opened in Sochi in December 2014, on the basis of the Olympic infrastructure. The mission of the center is early identification, professional development and further support of gifted children who show extraordinary talents in arts, sports, science, and in technical creativity.
Students and teachers from Belarus are regular participants of the education programs and refresher programs in the Sirius center. In February 2019 students Ilya Pchelintsev from Moscow State University and Andrei Chausov from ITMO University took part in the first specialized workshop organized by Yandex and Sirius for students.
Belarus-Russia cooperate in many areas and implement a great number of large-scale events. The basic document governing relations in this area is the intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in culture, education and science signed on 21 February 1995.
The program of cooperation between the culture ministries for 2018-2021 is currently in progress. More than 70 constituent territories of the Russian Federation have agreements on bilateral cooperation in culture with all regions of Belarus. Among the biggest joint cultural events are the days of culture, international arts festivals, theater and film festivals, large art exhibitions.
The parties have been strengthening cooperation in education. The existing legal framework ensures equal opportunities for Belarusians and Russians in obtaining education, including access to higher educational institutions of the two states. Today, about 11,000 Belarusians study at Russian universities, and more than 1,500 Russians receive education in Belarus. The two states are implementing a number of projects in the joint training of specialists with higher education.
Research organizations of the two countries collaborate on a regular basis. Since 2000, the two countries have implemented 57 Union State programs to develop new technologies and innovative products. Virtually all Union State programs envisage not only economic benefits, but also secondary effects, including the development and distribution of high-tech materials, equipment and manufacturing. In 2018, the two states implemented eight joint scientific and technical programs, including in information technology, auto electronics, micro and optoelectronics, new materials, hydrometeorological safety, spinal systems for surgery, DNA identification, innovative fodder manufacturing technologies.
In the social sector, Belarusian and Russian citizens enjoy equal rights to employment and labor renumeration, labor protection and working conditions, working hours and leisure time, recognition of employment record. A wide range of pension and social security issues has been settled between the two states.
Citizens of the two countries enjoy equal rights to medical care in healthcare institutions, free treatment at state and municipal healthcare institutions of Belarus and Russia.
Held since 2003, the Union State Games for Children and Youth aim to promote sport cooperation between the two states. The event brings together 1,500 participants annually.
According to Russia's population census held in 2010, there are some 521,400 Belarusians living in the Russian Federation. There are more than 20 Belarusian national and cultural autonomies, about 80 public organizations of Belarusians, cultural and educational societies, cultural centers and country groups in Russia.
