On 18 January 2018, a meeting with the State Secretary of the Union State Grigory A. Rapota was held at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. During the event, the preliminary results of the Union programs implementation in the fields of defense, security, law enforcement, military and technical cooperation and defense industry in 2017 were summed up; preparation of draft concepts for new programs and activities of the Union state in these areas and Belarusian-Russian cooperation in scientific-technical and military-technical spheres were discussed. The meeting was attended by representatives of power structures of Belarus, ministries of industry, economy, Finance, education, Belneftekhim concern, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, and the Standing Committee of Union state.

Vladimir Gusakov, Chairman of the NASB Presidium, stressed before the meeting: Thanks to the cooperation with the Standing Committee of Union state and to the participation in Union programs implementation, we have made considerable progress in both fundamental and applied research. Fourteen Union programs in different areas including space, agriculture, science etc. were completed with the participation of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Currently five programs are being implemented and another 12 are being prepared in different areas including new materials, microelectronics, stem cells. As a result of implementation of the sectoral union programs, science receives strong support. We support our scientific potential and at the same time develop technology for various industries. We are very pleased with this cooperation. It is very effective,” Vladimir Gusakov said.