Belarus and Russia will create common scientific and technological space by 2020, stated Chairman of the State Science and Technology Committee of Belarus Alexander Shumilin on 15 November. According to the official, plans have been made to create common scientific and technological space by 2020. It is not a simple process, not a fast one, but a very important one within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. “It will be a serious breakthrough. We are already moving in this direction. The first joint session of the commission will take place today,” said Alexander Shumilin. “We intend to tie the strategy for developing our science to the Russian one, including the organization of scientific research and the establishment of high-tech enterprises. We will determine what we should do best in Belarus and what in Russia. A lot of headway has been made in this country. A lot of research projects have been accomplished. A major import substitution program is in progress. We advance well enough on our own, but make poor joint development plans. It is a weak link.” The first session of the commission on the common scientific and technological space of the Union State of Belarus and Russia is scheduled to place in the Belarusian National Technical University on 15 November. “Today we will make up our minds regarding the development of the forecast on the development of science and technology in the Union State. We will start the relevant program for the period of up to 2040. Apart from scientific research we endeavor to get manufacturers and investors involved in order to make a complete cycle — from scientific research to the establishment of specific enterprises,” explained Alexander Shumilin. Three mechanical engineering projects initiated by the Belarusian Industry Ministry have been earmarked for cooperation. They are related to the production of radio electronics components, space products, and microchips. Russian Deputy Education and Science Minister Grigory Trubnikov is a co-chairman of the commission. He noted that the commission is supposed to agree R&D priorities, facilitate and promote the active exchange of technologies and specialists. “In order to carry out joint projects and achieve fast and effective results, we need a unified system of R&D indicators. We will have to make up our minds about how their level of readiness is determined in our countries. We are not just partners. We do mutually complementary work in the sphere of systems for civil science and the sphere of dual-use systems,” said Grigory Trubnikov.
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