Grigory Alekseevich, will not resist the question on the topic of the day: the coronavirus has made to your life adjustments? What mode is now a Permanent Committee of the Union state?
Grigory Rapota: Of the first features of our work as you’ve said in the “peaceful” time we’d met in person, now talking on the phone. But it does not matter, because the main fact is not a form of communication, and the content of the conversation.
Naturally, we follow all the recommendations given by experts. And it is very important to rely on common sense. Because you can use the current situation as an excuse to do nothing. And, most importantly, that you no one will accuse you stopped all contact for the sake of humanity, selfishness. But in fact, I think we need not to stop your work and find forms, allowing not to compromise the health of employees. This approach we have to work. For example, we do not allow employees to commute to work by public transport. If this is not possible, and the presence of a specific employee in the workplace is needed, we send him a company car. Personal communication can be reduced to a minimum. But communication is the same intense way as before.
Work plans should be corrected?
Grigory Rapota: We have divided our activities into two parts. The first is carrying out all kinds of scheduled activities requiring the presence of a large number of people, and it rallies, competitions, forums. We will try all of these activities to conduct, but moved them in time.
But in regard to the work that requires intellectual decisions, especially the implementation of Union programmes, here we go strictly on schedule. Moreover. At a recent meeting we noted that the Federal programs are implemented even faster than it was last year.
So I have no pessimism, and I don’t think the virus really block the implementation of our plans.
Annually in the Union state in the process of implementation are 10-12 Federal programs, among them are programs in the field of medicine. It might be worth our virologists – Belarusian and Russian – to unite the efforts in the framework of the new program to finally create a Federal vaccine coronavirus?
Grigory Rapota: Dream, of course, you can… If we seriously start a new program, the only training of its concept and further negotiation will take a year and a half. A vaccine is needed now. But still have to think about it, then I agree with you.
actually, we already have Federal programs in this area, and at our request, scientists from both the Russian and Belarusian sides – examine the issue of use of results of these programs in the BorLBE with the coronavirus. In particular, was the Federal program “BelRosTransgen” – as a result its implementation has been developed the technology for production of medicines based on human lactoferrin, which is involved in the formation of immunity in infants. Now it is produced in industrial scale. Logical question: can this product be used at least to partially solve the problem, which I now virologists around the world? Now, scientists and Belarusian, and Russian are already working on it.
Another Federal program – “DNA identification”. To think about the possible use of the results of this programme in combating coronavirus has pushed me to a recent speech by one of the specialists at the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The presentation discussed about the presence of certain genetic predisposition of some people to resist infection. Our Federal program is meant for development in the field of genetics. We have already contacted the executors and offered to study the issue. Well, if a contribution will be able to make and participants of the Federal program.
Gregory A. traditionally in the calendar of the Union state of April was listed a multitude of events – from expert-media rounds to prepare for the celebration of Victory Day. In these days, there always was an active work on the script of Day of the Union state at “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk”… due to a virus froze?
Grigory Rapota: I mentioned that all activities requiring close personal contact of people, we moved. To say that the virus messed things up, I wouldn’t: there is in this phrase any unnecessary tragic undertone. We have made adjustments to their plans, have the situation under control. This means that, on the one hand, we solve all the problems facing us in the production tasks, on the other – do it wisely without causing damage to human health. So it’s a conscious change in work schedule and all.
with regard to the festival “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk”, it always is in the summer. If at that time will develop a more favorable epidemiological situation, the event as always will take place. In any case, we are actively preparing the working program of the Union state Day. Is the idea to bring in Vitebsk an exhibition of goldwork mastery of Torzhok, would like to replenish the Museum exposition of the manor of Ilya Repin in Zdravnevo. Preparation is in full swing.
One of the traditional Union of events is the annual Forum of regions of Belarus and Russia, which this year was supposed to be the seventh. What are its prospects?
Grigory Rapota: as for the forum, the preparation and conducted��eat it mostly in the Russian and Belarusian parliamentarians. In the forums we see great benefit. In addition, there are direct agreements on cooperation between regions, there is an active exchange of experience within the forum and put forward important initiatives that we just take for execution. For example, the initiative to establish the Union state prize in science and technology. We have this issue worked out, and next year the prize will be awarded.
Or, for example, the initiative for the abolition of roaming on the territory of the Union state for the mobile users. On this, too, is now a lot of work. It is hoped that by September the problem will be solved. In any case, this was discussed at a recent joint Board of the ministries of communications of Russia and Belarus. The Ministry and mobile operators have set themselves very tight deadlines. This allows us to hope on the result. On the forum of regions voiced the idea of developing a high-speed highway St. Petersburg – Pskov – Minsk – Warsaw – Berlin – Hamburg.
This ambitious project will not freeze because of the pandemic?
Grigory Rapota: In it with varying degrees and reservations many people are interested structure. We have come a long way to harmonize the parties ‘ positions. Attitude towards the project is positive. Great interest expressed by European financial institutions, is the European company-financial advisers, ready to participate in the design of the project. The proposed model, which assumes the maximum use of extrabudgetary funds.
you Need to undertake a feasibility study of the project – this can be done without the active personal communication. It will take at least six months, but will allow you to properly evaluate the project’s profitability, it siegreiche influence on the development of the economies.
We need to get out of this crisis, not how it sounds paradoxical, well designed with new creative ideas.
the Union state vast territory, it requires transport development. Sooner or later a high-speed highway we have is a totally different quality of life, communication, access, and business to points of interest, and citizens to the historical and cultural values.
If we talk about the economy. This is a difficult time for both our countries. How long we get out of this crisis?
Grigory Rapota: do Not undertake a detailed analysis of the situation – for this we need to have more information. I can only say that from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus offers impeccable service and all the essential amenities to turnover didn’t stop. To solve this problem with the introduction any restrictions on the movement of people, passenger, railway transport is solved on a cargo transport such restrictions not to apply.
of Course, the difficulty will be. It is important that everybody understands that we need to fight this plague. That is, on the one hand, to protect human life, on the other – not to stop economic life. A difficult task, but there is an obvious need to solve it.
Grigory Alekseevich, the current year – the year of the anniversary of the Victory. The Federal government has implemented two major projects. In addition to creating a Museum complex in the Brest fortress is Rzhevskij and the memorial to Soviet Soldiers. On 15 April, it was scheduled completion of construction. Managed to meet the deadline?
Grigory Rapota: 15 April, the construction of the memorial completed. As it was planned. Created all the necessary infrastructure. When will be the date of the opening of the Memorial, you can see it with my own eyes.
I Want to say thanks to the builders, who worked not out of fear but out of conscience. I saw that they were humanly interesting. They felt their responsibility – not only production, but also moral. And showed real mastery, because the tasks were sometimes very complex, even from an engineering point of view. Just imagine: the monument along with weighs two hundred tons. And it all had to be installed to mount. The monument itself consists of more than six hundred fragments!
the great merit that the monument appeared, belongs to the Russian military-historical society, the Ministry of culture of Russia. Great assistance and administration of the Tver region.
Know that the creation of a bronze sculpture of a Soldier was financed by the Union budget, but the main funds were collected all the world – for today, this amounted to more than 510 million rubles. Have enough funds?
Grigory Rapota: From the Union state budget according to the decision of two presidents – Russia and Belarus – has been allocated two hundred million rubles for the creation of directly sculpture of a Soldier. This allocation of funds was the impetus, allowed to carry out tender procedures. Competition, you know, was open, was held in two stages. And then began the creation of the sculpture.
And then on folk remedies, which declared the Russian military-historical society, created the memorial. It took a lot of money, they have enough. I want to Express my gratitude to all the citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and many other countries that have made a contribution. No matter what were these funds transferred and the ruble, and five hundred rubles, and a few million. People responded and participated. This is very important.
I Want to end the conversation on a positive note. These are hard times. Plans to radically change the way of life for millions of people. That should teach all of us the current difficult situation?
Grigory Rapota: Life will show how we will emerge from the crisis. I believe that any critical situation evokes in people either the best or the worst.
it would be Very desirable that we maintain optimism and faith in their own strength. We can make this period a lot of good: for example, to join together in some creative projects, but so far I have these projects in particular and do not see, and would like. I think we need not to “lick their wounds” from the crisis, not to feel sorry for yourself and move on. Strain. The voltage should now appear in the best form. “On distance”, you can safely carry brainstorming, for example.
you Need to answer for themselves the question of what we are capable of? Able to propose some projects that would have moved our economy, science, new technology? Only to contemplate – this is not enough. It is necessary to act.
