MINSK, 2 October (BelTA) – Senators of Belarus and Russia have already begun preparations for the 2026 Forum of Regions, which will be held in Minsk and Minsk Oblast, Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Natalya Kochanova said as she met with Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Yuri Vorobyov, BelTA has learned.
During the meeting hosted by the Council of the Republic on 1 October, the focus turned to the 13th Forum of Regions. Natalya Kochanova emphasized that work is underway in all relevant areas to prepare agreements for conclusion during the forum.
Natalya Kochanova also confirmed that senators are tracking the progress of commitments made during the previous forum, underscoring that this follow-through is essential for stimulating economic growth and deepening partnership.
“The establishment of joint ventures and collaborative engineering projects is a positive development. This economic cooperation directly strengthens our Union State,” said the speaker of the Council of the Republic.
She added that Belarus and Russia are currently partnering across all sectors, including within various international organizations.
“We are grateful for the consistent support of our fellow senators at international forums, which we are proud to reciprocate. Such mutual solidarity is vital in these times of global instability. Belarus’ new status as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and a BRICS partner reflects a broader trend: nations with shared perspectives are uniting. Our close cooperation within the Union State is a cornerstone of this strategy, allowing us to act in sync within these structures,” she said.
Natalya Kochanova credited this fruitful partnership to the close collaboration between the leaders of both countries.
“Our president often reflects that our strategic decision to deepen cooperation with the Russian Federation was absolutely correct. This choice ultimately shielded our nations from a potential economic catastrophe,” stated the chairperson of the Council of the Republic.
She went on saying: “The positive trends we see today confirm we are on the right trajectory. Sanctions do not deter us.”
Following the meeting, Yuri Vorobyov told journalists that such gatherings have become a standard practice ahead of the Belarus-Russia Interparliamentary Commission session. He stated that the parties are closely monitoring the progress of all agreements reached at the Forum of Regions and are committed to their full implementation.
The session held at the Council of the Republic featured a highly detailed, substantive, and productive dialogue. “It is vital that we maintain strong interparliamentary and people-to-people ties between our nations,” he told the participants.
“As parliamentarians, we bear significant responsibility for fostering these ties. Consequently, our planned interparliamentary activities will include not only forums and commission meetings but also a diverse range of other events, with a particular emphasis on engaging youth,” he said.
The deputy speaker of the Federation Council announced that, beginning in 2026, the Forum of Regions will become a biennial event. This change accommodates the introduction of a new patriotic forum scheduled for the period leading up to Victory Day (9 May). To maintain momentum between these forums, the speakers of the Council of the Republic and the Federation Council will hold topical meetings, the specifics of which were discussed on 1 October.
He emphasized that parliamentary meetings serve a dual purpose: they are essential not only for legislative alignment but also for launching new interesting projects that are conceived and realized through this dialogue.
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