Meeting of High-Level Group of the Union State Council of Ministers

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.