5 October 2022

The discussion of this issue took place during the Forum on Security and Cooperation between Russia and Belarus «Frontiers of the Union State». The event takes place on 4-5 October in Svetlogorsk (Kaliningrad region, Russia). BSU was represented by a delegation headed by the Rector Andrei Karol.
Confirmation of the stated intention was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between BSU and MGIMO University of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. The document was certified by the heads of institutions Andrei Karol and Anatoly Torkunov. The parties agreed on the exchange of delegations, experience, mutual participation in scientific conferences, seminars and symposiums. It is also planned to develop joint educational and training programs of a double diploma, conduct research of mutual interest. 
These agreements and questions about further cooperation between Belarussian and Russian universities in the face of new challengees were discussed in detail during panel sessions and the work of thematic sections. Andrei Karol moderated one of them, «Socio-humanitarian aspects of security: common priorities of Russia and Belarus». In particular, there was a discussion on the implementation of joint initiatives in the field of education, science and youth policy, the activation of union cooperation for educational, scientific, technological, cultural and economic integration. There was an exchange of proposals on the further formation of the cultural and historical unity of the countries, the strengthening of digital sovereignty and the development of society in the conditions of external information and psychological pressure.
Andrei Karol also held a number of talks with Russian partners at the forum platforms. In particular, with the President of the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University Andrey Klemeshev. The heads of universities reviewed in detail the cooperation agreements regulated by the arrangement signed in 2008 and exchanged initiatives to strengthen partnership in the field of education and science.
By the way, about 100 leading experts, scientists from universities, academies, business and public organizations of Belarus and Russia are taking part in the forum. The participants of the discussions are representatives of state authorities – the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia, the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, the Standing Committee of the Union State, the Government of the Kaliningrad Region.
The result of the forum will be a draft resolution on coordinated approaches of the expert scientific community of Belarus and Russia to strengthening bilateral integration within the Union State.