MINSK, 23 January (BelTA) - Belarus and Russia are developing a new Union State program “Geologic exploration, mineral resources and environmental management” for 2013-2016, BelTA learnt from the press service of the State Science and TechnologyCommittee. The concept of the program will be reviewed at a workshop in the Russian Sergo Ordzhonikidze State Geological University on 23-24 January. Attending the event will be First Deputy Chairman of the State Science and Technology Committee of Belarus Leonid Demidov. The proposal to develop the new program was submitted during the Belarusian Innovation Week in Minsk in November last year. It is designed to maximize the opportunities and achievements of Belarusian and Russian enterprises and organizations, to coordinate their efforts to improve geologic exploration, production and processing of mineral resources on the territory of Belarus and Russia, and in other countries. In December 2011 the Sixth Forum of Union State Draft Programs considered and approved the development of the Belarusian-Russian program on geologic exploration, management of mineral and natural resources presented by the Belarusian Research Geological Institute and the Russian Sergo Ordzhonikidze State Geological University. While in Russia, Leonid Demidov is set to meet with senior officials of the Union State Permanent Committee and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation. “The sides are expected to discuss cooperation between the Permanent Committee, the State Science and Technology Committee and the Ministry of Education and Science regarding the development of the single sci-tech space in the Union State,” the press service said.

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