Eurasian Media Studies Center

On March 27, a week-long press tour began to strengthen cooperation between the mass
media of Russia and Belarus. The event is timed to coincide with Unity Day, which is
celebrated on April 2.

During the week, Russian and Belarusian journalists will get acquainted with the programs
of the Union State in the areas of healthcare and space. They will visit an industrial park, an
innovation center, and also take part in the Congress of Young Scientists of Russia and
Belarus, where they will discuss the creation of a single scientific and technological space
and import substitution issues.

Media development events (press conferences, media forums, press tours) are held
annually as a part of the strengthening of the Union State. In 2022, at the media forum
“Media Development in a Changing World”, State Secretary of the Union State Dmitry
Mezentsev said that the interaction of journalists from the two states is an example of
building relations between the CIS countries:

“And in this regard, we really need interaction with the journalistic community of Belarus, taking into account different opinions of people. Maybe in a wider format and in a wider sense. <…> Relations with very bright, professional, courageous people in their home Belarus are in many ways an example for relations in the Commonwealth space. This is our resource, no less important than trade numbers, the economy and defense cooperation.”

The Day of the Unity of Peoples has been celebrated annually since April 2, 1996, when the
presidents signed the “Treaty on the Creation of the Community of Russia and Belarus”. In
the same year, Unity Day was approved as an official holiday by the Decree of the President
of the Russian Federation “On the Day of Unity of Peoples”. On March 5, 1997, it was
approved by the President of Belarus. The agreement contributed to the strengthening of the
economic, social, political (domestic and foreign policy) fields, education, culture, science
and medicine. In December 1999, the “Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State” was
signed between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.

Within the cooperation between Belarus and Russia, more than 200 interstate, interregional
and intergovernmental agreements have been implemented. The joint work of the countries
has been carried out since 1998 also in the field of mass media, when the Television and
Radio Broadcasting Organization of the Union State was created. Broadcasting is carried out
on the territory of Belarus, Russia and the CIS countries. Interaction is also carried out in
print media, for example, the Soyuznoye Veche media, the Soyuz. Belarus-Russia” and the
“Union State” magazine, while interstate news in the social sphere, education, and culture
are covered in the state media of Belarus. Internet media are also actively expanding (for
example, the online newspaper Vremya Soyuz).

Photo source: uz.sputniknews.ru