Culture and sport events in Belarus-Russia Union State postponed to 2021 over COVID-19

“The participants of the meeting discussed the status of implementation of the 2020 Union State budget in social policy,” the press service informed. “This year the budget provides funding for the programs, projects and activities in education, culture, art, health and physical education. The MPs noted that due to the restrictive measures amid COVID-19, some events have been postponed. Among them were such events as the festivals "Youth - for the Union State" and "Creativity of the Young", a tourist meet-up of students of the Union State, a meeting of young environmentalists, and a spartakiada for children and youth,” the press service noted.

At the same time, the Parliamentary Assembly stressed that some projects, which did not contradict the measures taken to combat COVID-19, were implemented in full. These include the projects "Major repair, restoration and preservation of the Brest Fortress structures in the Brest Hero Fortress memorial complex”, "Setting up a sculptural composition for the Rzhev memorial to the Soviet soldier in Tver Oblast" and others.

When discussing the preparation of programs, projects and events for 2021, the MPs noted that the Union State project "Developing educational and scientific activities of the Belarusian-Russian University based on innovative technologies" has been completed in the past period. According to the MPs, the integration of the higher vocational education systems should continue. This issue will be considered in detail at the next meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly's commission on social and youth policy, science, culture and humanitarian matters.

The MPs also noted that earlier the Union State budget provided funding for the disability art festival "Together we can do more." The socially important event corresponds to the goals of the Union State. The MPs suggested considering its inclusion in the Union State budgets in the coming years.

The event was held via videoconferencing in connection with the current epidemiological situation. The meeting featured members of the Parliamentary Assembly, representatives of the Standing Committee of the Union State, ministries of healthcare and of culture of Belarus and Russia, members of the Youth Chamber at the Parliamentary Assembly.