According to Volha Lazorkina, each Forum of Regions is qualitatively different from each other. First of all, they differ in the external and internal conditions in which they take place. “What was done last year, and the results that were achieved, were the highest for last year, for the conditions that we created inside and outside. So, this was its uniqueness,” the expert highlighted. “The current forum also represents a unique phenomenon in the conditions of 2026. Its difference is not in the numbers that we are announcing today, and not in the number of agreements that will be signed, but in the accumulated huge layer of knowledge. It will be very important for us to understand how to use all of this as effectively as possible and how to divide it into directions and fill each direction with new quality.”
Speaking about cooperation between Belarus and Russia this year, she emphasized that literally every month it is filled with new formats. “These are joint production, industrial cooperation at different levels, the creation of a standardization committee, the launch of the Union State Goods project. Precisely these areas are of the most importance to us. A pilot production of the “Osvey” aircraft is planned for the end of 2026. Serious work in this direction is in progress. Therefore, at the forum it is important to discuss exactly this program, identify strengths and weaknesses, develop action tactics and add dynamics where it is needed. This can only be done within such working, practical forums, like the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia,” Volha Lazorkina pointed out.
The economist emphasised that the forum is one of the most important platforms for the development of regional cooperation, because it brings together representatives of government agencies who develop strategy and tactics, and production workers who directly implement them.
“It is very important that they find common ground not only through documents and other platforms, but also here to see and hear the whole picture. Because the forum provides an opportunity to imagine the scale of what has been achieved and to see it literally in action. Also, this year, a third participant will be added to the production workers and government structures: the analysts, and a separate analytical session will be held, which will be devoted to the image of the future Union State. Within this event, regional and global trends will be discussed, because the Union State, in addition to practical things, must also take into account what is happening outside, at the global level. The Union State is not just a regional structure, as we used to consider. The image of the future today should be built not only on the economy, but also on the needs of citizens and young people, first of all,” the expert assured.
Volha Lazorkina specified that the current forum is also about positioning the Union State in the international arena. “This topic has been raised literally in recent weeks during the visits of Russian representatives. We will touch upon not only the economic bloc, but also the cultural, humanitarian and value ones. Therefore, the results of this event will be assessed not only by the signed agreements, but also by the image of the future, and this is the foundation for the positioning of the Union State in the international arena,” the expert concluded.
The XIII Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia will take place on June 25th and 26th in Minsk and the Minsk region. Over the years, the forum has acquired the status of a traditional dialogue platform for representatives of government authorities and business communities of the two countries. The forum is organized by the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus and the Federation Council of Russia.
Source: https://www.belarus.by/