MINSK, 15 June (BelTA) – The Union State of Belarus and Russia is testing a new model of integration and setting the tone for cooperation in the region, Belarusian First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov said as he spoke at the 26th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on 15 June, BelTA has learned.
“I would like to note the rhythmic pace of the implementation of Union State programs. When there is a real interest in deepening cooperation, we immediately move from words to concrete actions, thereby setting the tone for regional cooperation for other post-Soviet countries. The Union State is now testing a new model of integration, creating new trends, trajectories of development and showing an exemplary and effective level of cooperation,” Nikolai Snopkov said.
In 2014, before the Eurasian Economic Union was set up, bilateral trade between Belarus and Russia amounted to 74% of the total trade between the current members of the union. “In 2022, the share of bilateral trade between Belarus and Russia in the EAEU was 57%. At the same time, we have maintained the volume of mutual trade in value terms. This suggests that the share of mutual trade between our other partners in Eurasian integration has increased markedly,” the first deputy prime minister said.