The discussion focused on the progress in the two countries’ efforts to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Russian Federation and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Dmitry Krutoi co-chaired a meeting of the High-Level Group of the Union State Council of Ministers
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Russian Federation Dmitry Krutoi, who has the powers of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, co-chaired a meeting of the High-Level Group of the Union State Council of Ministers. State Secretary of the Union State Dmitry Mezentsev took part in the event held in person in Minsk. Also attending were Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus Boris Gryzlov, and representatives of interested ministries and agencies in Russia and Belarus.
The co-chairs of the High-Level Group reviewed the progress of joint work aimed at strengthening trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Belarus, noting an upward trend in trade interactions.
“We are working together to remove any barriers between our economies and create the best conditions for deepening our ties, preserving and creating new jobs, stimulating economic growth and improving the living standards in the Union State of Russia and Belarus,” Alexei Overchuk stressed.
At the end of 2022, trade between Russia and Belarus showed an increase of 12 percent compared to 2021. At the same time, Belarusian exports to Russia exceeded imports as Belarusian companies became actively involved in the processes of import substitution in Russia.
“According to the key economic indicators, we are getting closer to synchronising our economies. And this creates a good basis for further integration, creation of joint markets and, ultimately, the formation of a common economy, with free movement of goods, services, capital and workforce,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
The participants specifically discussed creating equal conditions for rail transportation across the territory of the Union State, ensuring the supply of medical devices, deploying domestic software at industrial facilities, creating equal conditions for access to public procurement, enrollment and studying at universities in Russia and Belarus.
Other reports at the meeting focused on expanding the list of the Union State programmes and activities concerning physical fitness and sports, and on the implementation of the action plan to implement state youth policy for 2022-2023.
The parties also reviewed the implementation of the Union State’s protocol decisions and continued preparations for the meetings of the Union State Council of Ministers and Supreme State Council.
Following the meeting, they instructed members of the Standing Committee of the Union State to coordinate efforts to implement the agreements reached.
