Opinion: Belarusian-Russian integration is at its peak

Integration within the Union State is now at its peak – as stressed by Aleksei Belyaev, the Dean of the Journalism Department at the Belarusian State University, in his talk with Alfa Radio

Commenting on the recent talks between Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, the expert drew attention to the fact that the processes developing in the interaction between Belarus and Russia, primarily in the economic field, are the result of long-standing efforts.

“We launched integration in the economic sphere back in the mid-1990s. Shortly after Aleksandr Lukashenko became President, a referendum was held in 1995 to figure out our foreign political and economic priorities,” Mr. Belyaev said. “Our citizens then fully supported a proposal of the Head of State to focus primarily on co-operation with Russia, and we can see now that this vector was correct. The former Soviet republics – that, after gaining independence in the 1990s, chose a pro-Western vector – have economically sagged and even impoverished. Industrial enterprises, which are the basis of sovereignty, have been destroyed in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, so they are now completely dependent on what is being imported into their territories. They can be proud of their GDP per capita, but – at the same time – the population there has almost halved, while active, able-bodied people have left for Europe, since there are no prospects for them in their native countries. It is possible to fight in any possible way with monuments and the USSR historical heritage, but all this does not replace the fact that these countries have destroyed their own states with their own hands. These countries are dwarfs who yap a lot in the information space like a pug on an elephant, and at the same time they do not represent real power. You can also look at Ukraine. Even if we do not consider the events related to the special military operation, what did Kiev's attempts (especially after the Maidan of 2014) to break all ties with Moscow, to completely isolate itself from Russian energy resources and the Russian market lead to? What is Ukraine economically like today?”

In turn, Belarus took a different path, and its historical choice was absolutely correct. “With a clear understanding that ties with the Russian Federation are very important, we took the path of strengthening and expanding them,” the expert continued. “At present, the Belarusian-Russian integration is at its peak. The bilateral turnover is steadily growing. Actually, our Western opponents and their supporters from those who escaped and stay now in Poland or Lithuania say that we are economically dependent – and this is bad. Let’s face facts. Russia gives Belarus everything it needs for prosperity and well-being of itself and its people. We get cheap energy, which is important in the conditions of modern turbulence in this market. In addition, various large associations are tied to Russia, and Belarus gains access to new markets with Russia’s support. The Eurasian Economic Union is connected with the Union State. There is also SCO, and we are also ready to join BRICS. As a result, despite the strict sanctions imposed by the West, all enterprises in Belarus operate, produce and sell their products at good prices to where they are in demand. There are jobs, and good salaries are paid. A full economic cycle is developing in Belarus, and the country produces everything it needs. Its agriculture, industrial production and science – which is, by the way, one of the important areas within the framework of integration – function well. Even Russia is looking at our scientific achievements, the preservation of our education system, including higher technical education. We can export this system. Sci-tech co-operation between Belarus and Russia has gained special importance, also because attempts are being made now to deprive us of competencies. Western sanctions are primarily aimed at high-tech industries, and Russia initially faced serious problems: i.e. in oil production. However, all competencies were restored in full, and Russia has already stated that it does not actually need foreign specialists and technologies. It has found import substitution in the framework of its co-operation with Belarus and other friendly countries – such as China and Iran. Co-operation with North Korea is now in the pipeline.”

Belarus, by the way, is also interested in co-operation with the DPRK, and Mr. Belyaev explained, “We can offer co-operation in a number of areas, including agriculture and military technologies.”

“Co-operation within the framework of the Union State and access to other platforms and markets through this interaction deserve respect, and our Head of State conducts a very competent policy, without an emergency. The recent meeting of the presidents was presented by our ill-wishers as an extraordinary one, but it had been pre-scheduled. There will be more meetings until the end of this year. Everything is developing in line with the work plan, and new prospects are being added," the expert concluded.