In a couple of weeks, the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement on the Formation of the Community of Belarus and Russia will be celebrated. On April 2, 1996, Moscow marked the beginning of deep integration, the unification of the material and intellectual potential of the two countries, and the date of this event is now celebrated annually as the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia.
Practically throughout this period, the most pessimistic and even threatening forecasts were made about the two fraternal states. Especially from the countries of the "collective" West, and at all stages of the transformation of relations with them. Nevertheless, in the development of events thirty years ago, in December 1999, an agreement was signed on the creation of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, which predetermined the vector of integration of the two countries for decades to come.
Today, we can say that a common socio-economic, defense, migration, information, scientific, educational, cultural and humanitarian space has been formed. An agreed military-political course is being pursued on the external track.
In addition, citizens of Russia and Belarus are guaranteed equal rights in all spheres of life, freedom to choose their place of residence and employment, the opportunity to participate in local elections, and equal and unhindered access to government, social, and medical services.
In response to new geopolitical challenges and risks, Belarus and Russia are steadily strengthening integration, finding new opportunities for economic cooperation and import substitution. As noted earlier, interregional cooperation plays an important role in this process. It should be noted that the governors of Russian regions are quite frequent visitors to Belarus. Just this Monday (03/16/26), a delegation from the Ryazan region headed by Governor Pavel Malkov visited Minsk.
Experts note that the trade turnover between Belarus and the Ryazan region has been steadily growing over the past five years and reached almost 280 million dollars by the end of last year. Moreover, it continues to show steady growth, and the partners plan to reach the figure of $ 300 million. The Russian region buys furniture, industrial equipment, transport equipment, paper and food from Belarus. At the meeting, in accordance with the action plan for 2025-2030, new areas of cooperation were discussed. For example, the parties plan to develop cooperation in pharmaceuticals and the manufacture of medical products. The partners are also interested in further involvement of Belarusian specialists in the construction industry.
And on Tuesday, March 17, Sergei Klishevich, deputy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia, held a working meeting with Alexander Gusev, Governor of the Voronezh Region, in Voronezh. The parties discussed the implementation of joint projects in the humanitarian field and prospects for cooperation in the development of Voronezh's infrastructure. By the way, the result of cooperation between this region of Russia and Belarusian specialists has already become a number of significant facilities in Voronezh. Among them: Russia's largest school "Sodruzhestvo" with 2.8 thousand places, the kindergarten "Emerald City" and a new school in the village of Strelitsa.
In the same context, it should be noted that today there are already 11 multi-brand centers of Belarusian equipment operating in almost all federal districts of Russia (in seven out of eight). Only the northwest remains, where the center is planned to open this year - in St. Petersburg.
Among other things, cooperation between the supervisory authorities of the two allied countries is actively developing, which plays a key role in combating cross-border crime and ensuring law and order in the Union State. Thus, in 2025, the Russian side transferred over 220 persons accused and convicted of crimes to Belarus. In turn, Belarus has extradited 33 people wanted by Russian law enforcement officers to Russia.
Vladimir Vujacic
