Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko outlined the main tasks and areas of cooperation in the Union State in the short and long term as he spoke at the Union State Supreme State Council summit, BelTA has learned.

The key documents discussed at the summit included the main guidelines for the implementation of the provisions of the Union State Treaty for 2021-2023. The participants of the summit are to approve a new program document for the next three-year cycle, i.e. for 2024-2026. It lays out measures to strengthen the common economic space and remove remaining trade barriers.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, it is important to bolster the international standing of the union, as is done in the EAEU. According to the president, closer cooperation in import substitution is the main task for the manufacturing sector. A lot has already been done in this regard. Fundamental intergovernmental agreements were signed, including agreements on the recognition of technological operations, on the development of microelectronic technologies, the design and production of electronic components and electronic engineering, and on a common industrial policy. “I am convinced that the decree prepared for signing will in fact enforce mutual recognition of technological operations. I believe that governments should take measures to ensure its unconditional enforcement as soon as possible,” the Belarusian head of state said. Aleksandr Lukashenko urged to do whatever it takes to eliminate obstacles to mutual supplies of goods, ensure equal terms of operation for enterprises, remove stumbling blocks in public procurement, and lift restrictions on the transit of goods. “There is nothing new here, but we still have rough edges. I would like to point out that we have not yet made up our mind on the most important issues. This concerns the creation of common markets for gas, oil and petroleum products. We have a good opportunity to take these decisions calmly. They will benefit both Russia and Belarus,” the president said. According to him, these fundamentally important topics are regularly raised at negotiations with the Russian president. “Agreements have been reached. I think that the governments need to step up efforts to implement these agreements,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized. The president also mentioned the logistics of transporting Belarusian goods through Russian ports. There are proposals to increase the capacity of the Oktyabrskaya Railway in the direction of the ports of St. Petersburg. “Millions of tonnes of Belarusian goods have been redirected from the ports of the Baltic states to the ports of St. Petersburg, Murmansk, as well as the Black Sea ports. Things are not smooth here. Vladimir Vladimirovich and I discussed this problem three months ago. We decided that the Oktyabrskaya Railway section going in the direction of St. Petersburg should work at a greater capacity. It does not take a lot of money and effort to restore crossing loops,” the Belarusian leader noted. The agenda of the Supreme State Council summit also included such important topics as the establishment of a media holding of the Union State, the settlement of issues related to common property, and the approval of the Union State scientific and technological development strategy until 2035. “I’m sure that everyone understands how important it is to pursue a coordinated information policy. There is a fierce information confrontation going on. Many call it a war. But, thank God, we have not yet approached a war even in the media. But the confrontation is cut-throat. I think, if we take into account our experience and mistakes, we will be able to create a solid media holding,” the head of state remarked. The 11th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia to be held in Vitebsk in June is expected to generate fresh ideas, and most importantly, breakthrough economic projects and cooperation proposals. This year, the Union State will mark a number of significant anniversaries. First of all, the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus and the 25th anniversary of the Union State Treaty. “These are powerful ideological occasions. We simply must use them to promote our values and defend the truth about our common history,” the president of Belarus emphasized.