Volozhin Region
Executive Committee

A team of the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science of Belarusian State University (BSU) won silver at the ICPC International Collegiate Programming Contest, BelTA learned from the press service of the university.

“The ICPC World Finals took place in Moscow. The BSU team included graduates Yegor Dubovik and Fyodor Korobeinikov and 4th year student Aleksandr Kernozhitsky. They solved 11 tasks out of 15. They had previously won a medal of this championships in 2013. By the way, they shared the silver medal with students from the University of Wroclaw (Poland), the University of Cambridge (UK), and the University of Bucharest (Romania),” the press service informed. The coaches of the BSU team were Vladimir Kotov and Aleksei Tolstikov.

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We need to use all legal mechanisms to counter the sanctions policy of the West, Chairman of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko said during a session of the Council of the House of Representatives in Minsk on 30 September, BelTA has learned.

"Using their right of propose legislation, MPs have suggested a bill on criminal liability for calls for sanctions. It should be drawn up swiftly and submitted for the first and second readings at the autumn session. We must use all legal mechanisms to counter the sanctions policy of the West," Vladimir Andreichenko said.

He also urged to dot the i on the bill on self-regulatory organizations. "Taking into account a great number of comments and remarks, I ask the Standing Commission on Economic Policy and all stakeholders to make a decision whether to revise or withdraw the bill," the speaker said.

"A bill on licensing has been sent to the House of Representatives. The bill is important as it affects the interests of a wide range of business entities and has long been expected by the business community. At the same time, we have already received a number of important comments from the Presidential Administration and other government bodies. For example, questions are asked whether the time is right to abolish licensing of legal services and to change the approaches to licensing of medical activities. The proposal to expand the range of licensing bodies needs additional discussion," Vladimir Andreichenko noted.

The speaker called to intensify the work on the bill to amend the law on state innovation policy and innovation activities. "As you know, on 15 September this year, the head of state approved the state program of innovative development of the country for the next five years. The Standing Commission on Education, Culture and Science should not delay finalizing the project and take into account the approaches laid down in the program, including the redistribution of powers between the president and the government,” he stated. “The bill should be submitted during the autumn session. Possible issues in the field of innovation can be discussed during a workshop which we are planning to hold in the High-Tech Park on 27 October."

MP also need to finish work on the draft Education Code. "At the National Pedagogical Conference the head of state set a number of tasks in the field of education. The Standing Commission on Education, Culture and Science should carefully examine the provisions of the bill to match them with the instructions voiced during the conference. If some things are missing, remain unregulated, then MPs need to work it out promptly with appropriate ministries, other stakeholders before it is considered at a government conference with the participation of the president,” Vladimir Andreichenko said. “Today eveyrbody is aware of the need to carefully preserve the cultural code of the nation based on the values of the Belarusian people. The work on the bill to amend the Cultural Code should be given the closest attention. Five years ago, our country was the first in the post-Soviet space to prepare a codified document in this area. Now MPs need to join the public discussion of recent novelties, consider them from the point of a balance of interests of the state and society. "

"We regularly discuss the ways to improve the quality of legislative work. Of course, holding visiting meetings of standing committees is a good opportunity to analyze law enforcement practice, to study the experience on the example of specific business entities. This year, the standing commissions held 12 on-site meetings, another 6 are scheduled before the end of the year. In order to maximize the potential of such events, to ensure the timely exchange of information on the issues that are raised, I suggest the commissions prepare reports and specific proposals following the on-site meetings,” Vladimir Andreichenko noted.

The autumn session of the House of Representatives will open on 4 October.

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Symbols of Belarusian unity were laid in the Brest Fortress, Culture Minister Anatoly Markevich said at a solemn event to mark the 50th anniversary of the Brest Hero Fortress Memorial Complex and the 65th anniversary of the Brest Fortress Defense Museum, BelTA has learned.

“Symbols of our unity, solidarity, respect for the past and heroism took shape here. Walking through the territory of the Brest Fortress, one thinks about the fragility of today's world, about the need to appreciate the main thing that we have today - the right to live in a sovereign, peaceful country. This is very important,” Anatoly Markevich emphasized.

He thanked the team of the memorial complex for their professionalism and dedication. For half a century, more than 25 million people from 140 countries have visited the Brest Fortress. “Thanks to many generations of employees, guides, administrators, people know the truth about the Great Patriotic War, feel the tragedy and patriotism, understand the great role played by our grandfathers and great-grandfathers,” the minister said.

Anatoly Markevich handed over certificates of honor and commendation letters of the Belarus President Administration, the prime minister and the Culture Ministry to employees of the complex.

Brest is hosting events to mark the 50th anniversary of the Brest Hero Fortress Memorial Complex and the 65th anniversary of the Brest Fortress Defense Museum on 24 September. Local children took part in a commemorative event at the fortress. The round table session “Memorial. 50 Years of Service to History” took place in the conference hall of the museum. The anniversary events will wrap up with a solemn reception at the local drama theater.

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As of 21 September, Russia lifted all restrictions on flights to Belarus and resumed them to Spain, Iraq, Kenya and Slovakia. The decision was made earlier by the Operational Headquarters on Preventing COVID-19 in Russia, TASS reports.

Thus, air services between Russia and Belarus, temporarily restricted due to the spread of the coronavirus, will be restored in full.

In June 2021, Russia increased the number of regular flights to Belarus up to 10 per week. As of 1 August, the Russian Federation doubled the number of flights from Moscow to Minsk and increased the number of flights from Sochi and Krasnodar.

As for other foreign destinations, planes will fly to Iraq on the Moscow-Baghdad route twice a week. There will be four flights a week from Moscow to Madrid and Barcelona, and twice a week to Malaga and Alicante (Spain). As for Kenya, planes will fly from Moscow to Nairobi twice a week, and as for Slovakia there will be four flights a week from Moscow to Bratislava and two flights a week from St. Petersburg to Bratislava.

Earlier, Russia had already resumed air services with 53 countries. Suspension of air communication with Tanzania has been prolonged until 1 October due to the epidemiological situation in the country.

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Belarusian MPs as members of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, which is a part of the CIS observation mission, have started monitoring the elections to the Russian State Duma on 17 September, BelTA has learned.

“Our task is to monitor the electoral process. We will work all three days of the elections. On 20 September, after the preliminary results are announced by the CEC, we will issue a statement with the observation results,” Chairman of the International Affairs and National Security Commission of the Council of the Republic, Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly Commission on Foreign Policy Sergei Rachkov, who is coordinator of the group of observers from the Parliamentary Assembly, told the media.

According to Sergei Rachkov, there are no obvious violations during the State Duma elections. “So far, the situation has been calm. I can see that the Russian law is observed and there are no obvious violations,” he said.

“I am confident that we will prepare an objective conclusion,” stressed the coordinator of the group of observers of the Parliamentary Assembly.

This year's elections in Russia are held within three days for the first time – 17-19 September. The Belarusian MP considers this decision to be a good one. “It is a more convenient form of voting for citizens,” he said. Sergei Rachkov also said that as a representative of the legislative body he was interested to study the technical equipment of the Russian elections and the experience of electronic voting, which has been organized in several subjects of the Russian Federation as an experiment this year.

The delegation also includes Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on International Affairs Oleg Gaidukevich, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legislation Aleksandr Omelyanyuk, Deputy Chairperson of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on International Affairs Olga Petrashova and member of the Council of the Republic Standing Committee on Economy, Budget and Finance Andrei Shishkin.

Belarusian observers are visiting polling stations in Moscow, where they monitor the voting process. They also intend to hold meetings with the leadership of the factions of political parties in the State Duma and with the leadership of the Central Election Commission of Russia. They also plan to meet with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to the Russian Federation Vladimir Semashko.

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Objectives of Belarus as a welfare state can be undermined by external pressure, Belarusian Healthcare Minister Dmitry Pinevich said on the sidelines of the international conference “Impact of Global Economic Challenges on Social and Labor Rights” which is underway in Minsk on 13-14 September.

Dmitry Pinevich emphasized that Belarusian healthcare services boast a high level of accessibility. “Our signature feature is advanced technology: 500,000 surgeries, 500 organ transplantations. Belarusians don't spend a dime on organ transplantations and receive lifelong follow-up care. This adds to 17,000 cardiac surgeries, 15,000 transplantations of large joints, 45,000 new cancer patients detected annually. This all requires resources,” the minister said.

“Therefore, the government has committed to addressing all health needs of the population. And these commitments can be undermined by external factors, external pressure. Sanctions affect public health. Do we want this? Of course we do not. Are we going to fight? Of course, we are,” the minister emphasized.

He added that economic sanctions affect all branches of the economy and consequently social rights that depend on the state of the national economy. Dmitry Pinevich noted that today WHO discusses not just life expectancy, but also the quality of life. “Enormous resources should be and are being channeled into it. No discrimination should be allowed here. This is also enshrined in international treaties,” Dmitry Pinevich said.

The minister noted that in today's turbulent world the observance of the right to healthcare is getting especially relevant. Unresolved or emerging challenges in healthcare only exacerbate negative trends in global politics and impede sustainable development. In this regard, Dmitry Pinevich said: “The coronavirus infection is one of the biggest challenges; it has exposed vulnerabilities in social security and economic systems of many countries. No country was prepared for the pandemic,” he said.

Belarus chose not to go into a national lockdown. “Today we see that our country has chosen the right path. Our economy keeps going, while our healthcare services remain accessible as before, we are taking measures to avoid disruptions, panic, and to prevent the collapse of the healthcare system,” he said.

According to the minister, this all became possible due to the fact that Belarus is a welfare state (the country did not reduce the bed capacity, retained the infectious diseases service), as well as fairly prompt and centralized resource management.

The conference in Minsk is attended by reputable Belarusian and foreign experts, specialists in international law, representatives of the UN organizations and structures, judicial authorities, ambassadors of foreign countries, MPs, public figures. Over the course of two days, they will discuss initiatives to maintain stability in the world and to defend fundamental human rights. One of the central issues of the forum is the illegality of the use of economic sanctions.

Plans are in place to work out a resolution to be sent to the EU, the ILO and the UN.

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A team of the Faculty of Economics of Belarusian State University (BSU) won the international olympiad in analytical economics and economic forecasting that was held at the BSU on 14 May, BelTA learned from the BSU press service.

The team of the Saint Petersburg State University of Economics placed second, and the team of Russian Technological University rounded out the top three. Students of Derzhavin Tambov State University and the Armenian State University of Economics received special awards from the jury for their creative approach.

All in all, the final of the olympiad featured 14 teams from Belarus, Russia, and Armenia. The participants had to solve problems in economic forecasting, optimization, modeling of economic processes, and marketing analytics as well as present results of their research projects. The teams will be judged by their answers and the quality of their presentations.

Winners and participants of the olympiad were presented with diplomas and presents from the BSU.

The international olympiad in analytical economics and economic forecasting was held for the seventh time. Its aim is to stimulate students' interest in economic subjects, support talented youth, and encourage their creativity.

The organizer was the Faculty of Economics of the BSU.

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Green mobility makes small towns more comfortable and greener, expands opportunities for new digital technologies, and stimulates new partnerships and interregional interaction, BelTA learned the UNDP office in Belarus as it summed up the results of the Green Cities project.

Aleksandr Goroshko, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus and National Coordinator of the Green Cities project, also highlighted a special demand in small towns for comfortable and safe streets. "Implementing a parking policy, the organization of pedestrian streets and zones, slowing down the speed of traffic are the most effective measures to reduce traffic load in small towns, to lower harmful emissions, including CO2," he said.

Under the Green Cities project, implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Belarusian Ministry of Natural Recourses and Environmental Protection and with the financial support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), new road infrastructure, including for cyclists, has been developed in Polotsk and Novopolotsk, and innovative public transport and traffic control technologies have been introduced in the towns.

A preliminary analysis of the effectiveness of these innovations gives grounds to speak about the successful application of green mobility approaches in small towns.

The bicycle infrastructure developed in the two towns, including bicycle lanes, bicycle racks, bicycle parking lots, and bicycle intersections, gives local residents a number of environmental, social, and economic benefits. The measure helps reduce CO2 emissions and concentrations of harmful substances into the air. It also promotes healthy lifestyles among the population, and creates preconditions for the development of local entrepreneurship by expanding bicycle services and opening new commercial outlets in the pedestrian and bicycle zones.

Improvement of public transportation networks, the use of smart traffic lights, innovative road markings will help make traveling through the city more convenient and safe. Reliability of public transport motivates urban residents to choose it over personal vehicles.

“The results of developing green mobility in small cities demonstrate the importance of cooperation between city administrations, businesses, and residents at the level of the city and at the interregional level,” UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus Alexandra Solovieva noted. “A comprehensive and inclusive approach to the development of green mobility helps strengthen the potential of local sustainable development, improve health of urban residents, and spur the social and economic development of regions,” she added.

The partnership between all stakeholders is one of the most important conditions for achieving lasting results and for finding sources of financing of new projects in the field of sustainable urban development. The Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, city administrations, and active citizens continue working together to promote green mobility practices in other small cities of Belarus.

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The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has lifted restrictions on import of tomatoes and peppers produced by two Belarusian enterprises, BelTA learned from the website of Rosselkhoznadzor.

The Berestie greenhouse complex in Brest Oblast and Minsk Vegetable Factory have been given the green light to supply tomatoes and peppers to Russia.

Rosselkhoznadzor said it made the decision after perusing the materials about phytosanitary inspections of tomatoes and peppers at these Belarusian enterprises and in view of the guarantees issued by the Main State Inspectorate for Seed Production, Quarantine and Plant Protection of Belarus.

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In April 2021 the index of consumer prices for goods and services totaled 100.7% as against March 2021 and 104.6% as against December 2020, BelTA learned from the National Statistics Committee of Belarus.

In April the base index of consumer prices, which rules out changes in prices for individual goods and services susceptible to administrative and seasonal factors, totaled 100.7% as against March 2021 and 103.8% as against December 2020.

Prices for foods went up by 0.9% from March 2021 and by 4.6% from December 2020.

Prices for non-foods increased by 0.8% from March 2021 and 4.7% from December 2020.

In April prices for services rose 0.4% from March 2021 and 4.4% from December 2020.

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