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Scientist of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus got a prestigious international award

Sun Jan 8 21:00:00 2012 GMT

The scientific school founder in the area of heat pipes in Belarus, Head of the Laboratory of Porous Media of the Institute of Heat and Mass Transfer named after A.V Lykov of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of Belarus, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Leonard Vasiliev has been awarded George Grover’s Gold Medal.

As the "Minsk-News" agency reports the news was provided by the NAS press center. The award will be presented to the scientist at the 16th International Conference on Heat Pipes to be held in May in the French city of Lyon.

Leonard Vasiliev is the author of 14 monographs, including three collective monographs in English, of about 600 articles and papers, 218 patents, 12 international patents. Leonard Leonidovich is the BSSR State Prize winner, as well as the winner of the USSR Council of Ministers Prize, the Prize named after Academician A.V. Lykov, awarded by the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the winner of the award of the outstanding Indian scientist A. Ramachandran, the winner of other awards for outstanding contributions to the development of science and technology of heat pipes.

Reference: The permanent scientific Committee on organization and holding of international conferences on Heat Pipes (Committee on International Heat Pipe Conferences) instituted Grover’s Medal to scientists who have made significant contributions to the two-phase heat transfer devices (heat pipes), and their manufacturing methods. The medal is named after the physicist George Grover, who initiated research in the field of heat pipes in the 60s of last century.

By the way, the first conference of the world’s leading experts in this field took place in 1973 in Stuttgart, Germany, and is held in different countries every two years.

Minsk icon painter is working on an icon for the Orthodox Church in San Francisco

Tue Nov 29 21:00:00 2011 GMT

Olga Chernyak, icon painter from Minsk, is working over the next icon for the Orthodox Cathedral in San Francisco that is on the Pacific Coast of the USA. The icon was ordered by the archpriest Peter Perekrestov, and the icon-painter was blessed for work the Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus.

Earlier Olga Chernyak made for the American church icons "Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs of the Chinese" (among the parishioners of the Church of San Francisco there are many Orthodox Hans) and St. Luke (Voyno-Yasenetsky).

The plot of the new icon ("Descent into Hell") tells of how, after the crucifixion, Jesus Christ descended into hell and brought to the underworld preach the gospel, freed the souls that were imprisoned there and led out of hell all the Old Testament saints, as well as Adam and Eve.

- It is based on the icon of the XV century, housed at the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, - said Olga Igorevna to the "Minsk-news" agency correspondent. – A list which is a little shorter than the original, should be kept at the altar of the San Francisco church, and only on special celebrations it will be brought on to the lectern (used in worship rectangular table with a sloping top).

However, to see how the new work coming out now from under the hand of Olga Chernyak will look like, Minsk dwellers do not have to go overseas. Olga had already painted a similar icon for St. Peter and Paul temple of our capital.

In 1981 Olga Chernyak graduated from the Department of architectural ceramics of Belarusian Theatre and Art Institute. She is a member of the Artists' Union of Belarus. She has been working in the sphere of Iconography since 1991. Her works can be found in the temples of the Belarusian capital, as well as in the temples of Europe, USA, Canada and Israel.

Olga Chernyak’s workshop is located in the parish of Minsk "All the Afflicted," namesake of the Cathedral in San Francisco.

Colleagues from Belarus and Germany have been invited to the 2nd Day of Young Scientists which is taking place in Minsk

Wed Oct 5 21:00:00 2011 GMT

Today the 2nd Day of Young Scientists is held in Minsk at the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of Belarus. It is organized by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the National Academy of Sciences. The theme to be discussed by young researchers is energy resources, environment.

According to the information given to the "Minsk-news" Agency correspondent in the press service of the National Academy of Sciences, at the Forum which is also attended by their senior domestic and German colleagues Belarusian post-graduates and young scientists can present their researches and participate in interdisciplinary discussions.

A day earlier, in the capital the Youth Innovation Forum NAS – 2011 took place. The Forum was held to select the best projects for the participation of young scientists of the Academy of Sciences in the category "Best Youth Innovation Project" of the annual National Competition of innovative projects, as well as in the events of the Belarusian Innovation Week, including the II International Youth Scientific Conference and the Youth Innovation Forum "Science and Business - 2011".

The Academic Innovation Forum, for the participation in which 44 projects were recommended is aimed at young scientists of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus who are under 35 and who have innovative designs and unique ideas and who do promising scientific research.

Note: the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus is the highest state scientific organization of the Republic of Belarus which organizes, conducts and coordinates basic and applied research and development in various fields of natural, engineering, social sciences, humanities and arts.

Minsk to host climate change conference 4 March

Tue Mar 2 22:00:00 2010 GMT

A round table conference, Information Needs Assessment within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, will take place in Minsk on 4 March. The conference will be held as part of the joint project of the European Union and the UN Development Program “Building capacity for Strategic environmental assessment and implementation of environmental conventions in Belarus,” coordinator of the project Vyacheslav Smirnov, told BelTA.

The participants of the conference are set to discuss the report on the information needs assessment within the UN Framework convention on climate change and get familiar with the results of the Copenhagen summit that was dedicated to the implementation of the convention.

Taking part in the conference will be officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, coordinators of the EN and UNDP joint project, members of the Belarusian Science and Research Center Ecology, and a NGO organisation, APB BirdLife Belarus.

The project “Building capacity for Strategic environmental assessment and implementation of environmental conventions in Belarus” is implemented under the guidance of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

Belarus President visiting Student Village in Minsk

Mon Jan 18 22:00:00 2010 GMT

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko is visiting the first dormitory of the Student Village in Minsk (near Dzerzhinsky Avenue) on 19 January where he gets familiar with the fulfillment of his instructions to construct the Student Village, BelTA has learnt.

A reminder, on 19 June 2008 the Belarusian President visited the construction site of the Student Village and laid a capsule into the foundation of the first building of the complex.

The President will hear out a report on the progress in the construction of the complex made by Rector of the Belarusian State University Sergei Ablameiko and Chief Architect of Minsk Viktor Nikitin. After that, the Belarusian head of state will get familiar with living conditions of students. He will see a recreation room, a gym, rooms of students, a computer class and an assembly hall.

The President will attend a housewarming amateur concert, after that the Belarusian leader will talk with students.

In line with the construction plan, the Student Village complex will consist of eight dormitories. The complex will feature a multi-functional cultural and entertainment center, a sports facility, a shopping mall, an outpatient clinic, hotels, an underground parking lot, a cinema and other facilities.

A dormitory of the Belarusian State University has already opened. Some 500 students of the Law Department and 500 students of the International Relations Department have moved to the new dormitory.

Chinese Ambassador’s spouse presents gifts to Belarusian children

Sun Dec 27 22:00:00 2009 GMT

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China held a series of traditional charity campaigns timed to Christmas and New Year, BelTA learnt from the Chinese diplomatic mission. The spouse of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Belarus Mrs Zing Ming handed over gifts to Belarusian medical and rehabilitation facilities.

The spouse of the Chinese Ambassador visited children’s rehabilitation and recuperation center Zhdanovichi. On behalf of Ambassador of China Lu Guicheng and the staff of the diplomatic mission she presented gifts to all the children who are undergoing rehabilitation at the center. The children held a concert for the foreign guest to show appreciation for the gifts.

Mrs Zing Ming donated equipment to the National Center of Rehabilitation and Balneology. The embassy has been cooperating with this medical institution for several years already. A department for Chinese traditional medicine was set up at the center in 2007; the specialists of this department were trained at international training centers of China. They widely use the methods of the Chinese traditional medicine.

The spouse of the Ambassador actively studies the local way of life, including the life in the countryside. She has recently visited the village of Starobin of the Soligorsk region where she met and talked with local dwellers.

Belarusian scientists develop new model of supercomputer

Mon Nov 16 22:00:00 2009 GMT

The United Institute of Informatics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus is developing a new model of a supercomputer of hybrid architecture, BelTA learnt from Anatoly Krishtofik, Executive Director of the Union State program SKIF GRID, member of the United Institute of Informatics. The statement was made before the opening ceremony of the Eighth Development of Informatization and State System of Sci-Tech Information international conference in Minsk on 16 November.

“It will be a supercomputer on the basis of graphics processors, which will be able to process about 5 billion operations per second. We are planning to finish its creation by the end of 2009 and to connect it to users in early 2010,” the specialist noted.

The new supercomputer will operate in several regimes: calculating and graphical data processing. “New opportunities in the area of video images and space information processing will be available due to the new computer resources. The supercomputer technologies can be applied, for example, in machine building industry for virtual modeling, in medicine - for speedy and more precise data processing, in geology – for minerals exploring,” the scientist said.

The Eighth Development of Informatization and State System of Sci-Tech Information international conference is held in Minsk within the framework of the eleventh international specialized exhibition, Promising Technologies and Systems: Informatics, Telecommunications, Security (PTS’ 2009). The conference is aimed at analyzing the state and problems of development of informatization and state sci-tech information system in Belarus. The conference also develops new approaches to the scientific and methodological support of informatization, information technologies, information infrastructure of Belarus and implementation of the Electronic Belarus state program.

С-56Х of German airlines makes emergency landing in Minsk

Thu Oct 29 22:00:00 2009 GMT

A С-56Х of the Widnrose Air Company (Germany) made an emergency landing in the Minsk national airport on 29 October, BelTA learnt from the airport.

“The С-56Х was performing a business flight from Warsaw to the Vnukovo airport in Russia,” the airport informed.

Four passengers and three members of the crew were on board the plane. The С-56Х suffered an in-flight decompression, forcing the crew to make an emergency landing in Minsk at 20h52 on 29 October.

No medical help was requested.

Widnrose Air sent another plane to pick up the С-56Х passengers. The plane left Berlin at 6.23 Minsk time on 30 October, although the German company was supposed to send the plane from Borispol (Ukraine) on 29 October, BelTA learnt from the airport. The passengers and the crew spent the night at hotels at their own expense. The passengers are citizens of Poland, and the members of the crew are German citizens.

Resources Center for International Humanitarian Law opens in Minsk 16 September

Tue Sep 15 21:00:00 2009 GMT

The Resources Center for International Humanitarian Law opened at the International Institute of Labour and Social Relations in Minsk on 16 September. The ceremony of center’s opening was dedicated to the beginning of the international conference “60th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions: affirmation of adherence to the fundamental principles of IHL and their development”.
“We will do our best for further developing and training in the field of international humanitarian law. Taking into consideration the history of Belarus, we understand that this area plays an extremely important role,” Francois Bellon, Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Russia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine told reporters. He also noted with regret that conflicts still exist in the world.
In turn, Yaroslav Budnik, a representative of the Belarusian Justice Ministry, noted that “despite that all the countries of the world are participants and founders of the Geneva conventions, not all of them adhere to these conventions.” “The number of armed conflicts is not reduced. The main problem is that the Geneva conventions are not always observed,” he said. As an example, Yaroslav Budnik cited the armed conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The conference is timed to the 60th anniversary of signing the Geneva conventions for protection of war victims of 1949 which are the basis of the international humanitarian law. The forum will discuss the issues of the humanitarian law related to the history of the Geneva conventions and implementation of the Geneva conventions. Attending the conference are representatives of the state bodies and organizations, researchers from 18 countries, representatives of the regional delegations of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Russian Federation, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine, members of Council of Ministers’ commission for implementation of the international humanitarian law.
The final declaration is expected to be signed after the conference.
The conference is organized under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Council of Ministers’ commission for implementation of the international humanitarian law. It is held in the International Institute of Labor and Social Relations.

Minsk to host international seminar on bog protection

Tue Sep 8 21:00:00 2009 GMT

Over 50 scientists will come to Belarus to take part in a seminar on the protection and use of bogs, mapping and classification of bog vegetation that will be held in Minsk on 30 September – 1 October, BelTA learnt from Deputy Director of the Kuprevich Institute of Experimental Botany of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Dmitry Grummo.
Taking part in the forum will be environmentalists from Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Germany and Canada. The participants of the seminar will focus on the responsible use of marshlands which includes eco-tourism and creation of berry-fields. The scientists will discuss the processing of bog vegetation biomass into fuel, cardboard, paper and packaging materials. They will also touch upon the rational use of marshlands and creation of cross-border conservation areas.
The participants of the seminar will review the results of the re-swamping of Belarusian bogs. Over the last three years about 20 peat bogs with a total area of over 42,000 hectares have been restored. The re-swamping substantially reduces the possibility of peat fires, prevents peat mineralization thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The swamp restoration will also improve the living environment for marsh plants, birds and animals, including rare ones.
The seminar is organized by the Kuprevich Institute of Experimental Botany, Belarusian Botanical Society and Scientific and Practical Centre for Bioresources.

Central Botanical Garden can become one of Belarus’ tourist centres

Tue Aug 18 21:00:00 2009 GMT

The Central Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) can become one of the major tourist attractions in Belarus, Director of the Central Botanical Garden Professor Vladimir Reshetnikov said as he met with the representatives of the National Tourism Agency of Belarus and the national travel agencies on 19 August.

According to Vladimir Reshetnikov, it is necessary to include the botanical garden into the Belarusian and international tourist routes in order to attract tourists’ attention. “In summer we receive ten to twelve foreign delegations while the popularity of the garden among foreigners could be much higher, I believe,” Vladimir Reshetnikov said.

In order to increase its popularity, the Central Botanical Garden needs to be included into the sightseeing lists of the tourist routes for Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine. In his words, the garden should expand cooperation with the non-CIS colleagues as well. Today China, Latin America and the countries bordering the Red Sea are interested in cooperation with the Central Botanical Garden.

The Central Botanical Garden necessitates further improvements in its infrastructure in order to maintain the interest of foreign visitors. A lot has been done recently in line with the Central Botanical Garden upgrading programme: greenhouses and laboratories have been reconstructed; a unique exposition hot-house has been built.

One of Minsk streets may be named in honour of Andrei Gromyko

Sun Jul 19 21:00:00 2009 GMT

One of the Minsk streets may be named in honour of outstanding statesman, former Foreign Minister of the USSR Andrei Gromyko, First Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Igor Petrishenko noted during a conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of the legendary Soviet diplomat.
According to Igor Petrishenko, the Belarusians remember Andrei Gromyko; a monument to the famous statesman was erected in Gomel. There is an exposition dedicated to him in one of the Belarusian museum. One of the Belarusian schools is named after him. It is possible that one of the Minsk streets will be named in honour of Andrei Gromyko, the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus said.
The Soviet diplomat, native of the Gomel oblast, never forgot about his Motherland. He did a lot for the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic during the times of the USSR. Owing to his diplomatic talent, Belarus is one of the UN founders, Igor Petrishenko underscored.
In turn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Belarus Alexander Surikov noted that Andrei Gromyko is one of the most remarkable persons in the world diplomacy of the 20th century. Owing to his high working ability and unblinking devotion to the Motherland, Andrei Gromyko made a great contribution to the strengthening of the USSR positions in the international arena. The achievements of the Soviet diplomacy along with the political lessons of the past laid the foundation for the present foreign policy of Russia, Alexander Surikov underscored.

Information office in Minsk to facilitate Belarus-EU cooperation

Mon Jun 8 21:00:00 2009 GMT

The activities of the information office in Minsk will give a base for the further development of cooperation between Belarus and the Council of Europe, said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Samuel Zbogar at the solemn opening ceremony of the Council of Europe’s information office at the Institute of Journalism of the Belarusian State University.
“I am convinced that the information office will play a major role in the distribution of information about the goals and functions of the Council of Europe,” Samuel Zbogar said. He thanked all the states that had chaired the Council of Europe before – Slovakia, Sweden and Spain – for their considerable efforts to set up and open the information office.
Samuel Zbogar reminded that the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe remains committed to the decisions of the Warsaw summit of 2005 hoping that Belarus will soon join “the common European family”. “The realization of these goals depends on Belarus,” he said. A moratorium on death penalty, he added, could signal Belarus’ readiness to approach the standards of western democracy.

CSTO Commission for Military-Economic Cooperation to meet in Minsk

Tue May 19 21:00:00 2009 GMT

The 6th session of the Interstate Commission for Military and Economic Cooperation of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) will take place in Minsk on May 20. The session will be presided by Ivan Materov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia, Chairman of the CSTO Interstate Commission for Military and Economic Cooperation. Attending the session will be CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha, BelTA learnt from the press service of the CSTO secretariat.

The commission is planning to consider the progress in coordination of the following documents: a proposal to work out a programme on the military and economic cooperation between the CSTO member-states up to 2015, an agreement on the uniform principles of setting up CSTO interstate scientific and production associations for manufacturing military products, a protocol on securing technical and information cohesiveness of the armament and military equipment of the CSTO participating states.

The agenda of the session will also include the issues regarding the development of the CSTO military and technical cooperation programme up to 2015, creation of the interstate cataloging system for the CSTO Armed Forces supply, the draft agreement on cooperation in military hauls and hauls in the interests of the military and technical, military and economic cooperation.

Besides, the participants of the session will discuss the issues related to the advertisement and exhibition activity within the CSTO military and economic cooperation, in particular, a draft concept on the CSTO advertisement and exhibition activity in the area of the military and economic cooperation and the participation of the CSTO defense and industrial companies in the 4th International Salon of the Armament and Military Hardware (Moscow).

The commission will consider the issues of reelecting Chairman of the CSTO Interstate Commission for Military and Economic Cooperation, a plan of action for 2009-2010, other organizational and procedure issues.

The CSTO Interstate Commission for Military and Economic Cooperation was founded in line with the decision of the CSTO Collective Security Council on June 23, 2005. The major goals of the commission are the development of recommendations to secure all-round military and economic cooperation between the CSTO member-states, development and implementation of long-term programmes on military and economic cooperation, preparation of proposals on joint R&D activity in the military area and others.

Mass Media in Belarus exhibition opens in Minsk

Mon May 4 21:00:00 2009 GMT

The 13th international specialized exhibition “Mass Media in Belarus” has opened in Minsk.

For several days a year mass media are in the public spotlight, Natalia Petkevich, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Belarus, said at an opening ceremony of the exhibition. Many interesting programmes and events involving journalists from many countries have been scheduled. A serious topic as the role of mass media in difficult economic conditions will be discussed. Natalia Petkevich congratulated everybody on the opening of the forum and read out a greeting message from President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to the participants of the exhibition.

Taking part in the event are eleven countries: Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Azerbaijan, Poland, Switzerland, Great Britain, France, China, Israel. Regions of the Russian Federation have organised a large exposition. The Russian delegation includes mass media representatives from the Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Veliky Novgorod and Bryansk oblasts. Almost all Belarusian mass media outlets and mass media of the Belarusian diasporas have prepared their expositions.

The event will stay open until May 8. The exhibition is dedicated to the 65th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from the Nazi invaders.

On May 7, a roundtable will highlight the issue of the Belarusian wartime mass media. The Belarusian State Museum of the Great Patriotic War organized the Belarusian Wartime Journalism exhibition that opened an hour ahead of the opening ceremony of the forum.

A promotional game Mass Media in Belarus and award ceremony of winners and prize-holders of the contest for best printed media sales will be organized. The contest launched by the Union of Publishers and Print Distributors is held in the concert with Belkniga and Belsoyuzpechat. The forum will also present a lot of interesting presentations.

An official award ceremony of the 5th Golden Letter National Printed Press Competition will traditionally take place on the first day of the exhibition.

The highlight of the exhibition will be the 4th Belarusian information forum “Mass Media in the epoch of the global economic crisis. Changing public attitude”. The forum will be held in the National Library of Belarus on May 6-7. The partners of the forum are the Union State Permanent Committee, the CIS Executive Committee, the Eurasian Television and Radio Academy, the Belarusian Union of Journalists under the auspices of the OSCE Office in Minsk.

The co-founders of the exhibition are the Information and Foreign Ministries, the National State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company, the Minsk City Council, the Belarusian Union of Journalists, the Union of Publishers and Print Distributors. The exhibition is organized by the House of the Press and the BelExpo Exhibition Centre.

Exhibition of children’s drawings to take place in Minsk May 6-15

Sun May 3 21:00:00 2009 GMT

The 4th International Exhibition of Children’s Drawings On the Native Land will open in the National Art Museum of Belarus in Minsk on May 6, BelTA learnt from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection.

The exposition will display 56 drawings of children from 14 countries – Belarus, Bulgaria, Germany, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, the Philippines, Ukraine, Estonia.

The exhibition will last till May 15.

The exposition is organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection, the Education, Culture Ministries and the Belarusian Green Cross civil organisation.

Belarus, Russia, Ukraine taking part in Stationery Business 2009 expo in Minsk

Thu Feb 12 22:00:00 2009 GMT

Stationery manufacturers from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine are taking part in the 5th international specialized exhibition/fair Stationery Business 2009, BelTA learnt from exposition manager Liudmila Dragun. The exhibition is held within the framework of the 16th Books of Belarus 2009 International Exhibition-Fair.

Taking part in the exposition are more than 20 exhibitors. They showcase paper for office, paper fair goods, stationery for children, consumables for office equipment, souvenirs, goods for creativity. A seminar dedicated to the novelties of the Belarusian paper industry will be held on February 13.

The main objective of the forum is to establish direct contacts between representatives of small business and trade and manufacturers and suppliers of the stationery, to introduce visitors to new designs and assortment of the stationery goods produced by famous brands.

The exposition is organized by the Belexpo national exhibition centre under the auspices of the Belarusian Trade Ministry.

Belarus National Museum of History to display numismatic treasure

Tue Feb 3 22:00:00 2009 GMT

The Belarus National Museum of History is going to organize an exposition of numismatic treasure, director of the museum Nina Kolymago told a press conference on February 3, BelTA has learnt.

According to the concept of the Belarus National Museum of History, this is the first time the museum will open its stocks to general public. The museum is thinking of several expositions. One of them will feature unique articles made of precious and semi-precious metals: rings, bracelets and others. The other exposition will display coins. The collection of the Belarus National Museum of History comprises 4,500 gold and silver coins and 10,000 coins made of base metal. Moreover, the stocks of the museum include articles from 116 buried treasures including 34,000 coins and other rare things.

One of the displays will present the Belarusian icon painting. Visitors will be able to see such masterpieces as the Vernicle Image of the Saviour Icon of the 17th century, the Baptism of Christ Icon of the 17th century, the Dormition of the Virgin Icon of the early 18th century and others. All in all, the Belarusian National Museum of History has 650 icons which will be opened up to general public.

The museum is also set to showcase the articles of worship and church vessels – amulets, crosses (all in all, the museum has 260 such articles).

The museum will organise virtual exhibitions. The articles which are related to Belarus but are kept in various countries of the world will be showcased as holograms or computerized images. Specialists are making moulages and copies of the articles from the museums of Poland and Lithuania.

Belarus’ National Bank issues commemorative coins “Minsk. Capitals of EurAsEC States

Sun Nov 16 22:00:00 2008 GMT

On November 18 the National Bank of Belarus will put into circulation the commemorative “Minsk. Capitals of Eurasian Economic Community's Countries Series' coins, BelTA learnt from the information department of the central bank. These are silver coins, face value is Br20, alloy standard 925, weight 33.63gm, diameter is 38.61 and also copper–nickel coins: denomination is Br1, weight 14.35 grams, diameter 33mm.

The coins are round. The rim is raised on both sides of the coin. Along the rim is the inscription “Capitals of the EurAsEC member states.”

Obverse features in the center the relief of the State Coat of Arms of the Republic of Belarus with the inscription in two lines beneath: 'Republic of Belarus'; at the bottom – face value, year of issue, silver coins – weight of the coin and alloy standard.

Reverse features in the right the buildings of the historical downtown of the city: Minsk City Hall, Minsk St Spirit Cathedral, Troitskoye suburbs and a flying dove, a symbol of peace. The left part features a collage of the residential area of Minsk, National Library, Frantsysk Skorina monument. In the upper part of the coin is the relief of the coat of arms of Minsk and at the bottom – the inscription “Minsk”.

The circulation of the silver and copper-nickels coins are 7,000 pieces each.

Relic of Prince Vladimir brought to Minsk

Tue Oct 21 21:00:00 2008 GMT

On October 22, the relic of Saint Grand Prince Vladimir was brought to Minsk in honour of the celebration of the 1020th anniversary of Baptism of Rus. The relic was welcomed at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk by the clergy of the Minsk eparchy and Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk Filaret, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus.

In his welcoming speech Metropolitan Filaret said that Grand Price Vladimir was a great statesman who united separated Eastern Slavonic tribes and an example of a man who went a thorny spiritual path and finally disowned the barbarian ignorant past and turned his heart to God.

The head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church said that the celebration of the 1020th anniversary of Baptism of Rus is another historic occasion to think over and understand our spiritual origin, kinship and unity.

“Today’s event brings up the important question once again: are we worthy of our many-century legacy which name is Holy Rus? For that the celebrations have been organised in honour of the 1020th Baptism of our lands,” the Patriarchal Exarch said.

Foreign Ministers of Belarus and Syria to discuss bilateral cooperation in Minsk

Wed Oct 1 21:00:00 2008 GMT

Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem will discuss the Belarusian-Syrian cooperation in Minsk on October 2, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

Within the framework of the visit to Belarus, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem will have a meeting with Belarusian Economy Minister Nikolai Zaichenko.

During the talks in Minsk, the Belarusian and Syrian sides will discuss the expansion of the bilateral political contacts at higher level, the cooperation of the two countries in the international arena and also the measures to intensify the trade and economic cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Syrian Arab Republic.

Minsk to host MILEX-2009 military exhibition in May 2009

Sun Aug 24 21:00:00 2008 GMT

An international exhibition of arms and military machinery MILEX-2009 will be held in the BelExpo pavilion in Minsk on May 19-22 2009, BelTA learnt from Viktor Shevchenko who is in charge of the exhibition.

The enterprises of the CSTO member states are to present a common booth. The military industrial enterprises of the Union State of Belarus and Russia may also present a common booth.

According to Viktor Shevchenko, an on-range showcase of arms and military machinery may be held within the framework of the forum.

MILEX-2009 is organized by the State Secretariat of the Security Council, State Military-Industrial Committee, Defense Ministry, Industry Ministry, Education Ministry, Interior Ministry, Ministry of Emergency Situations, Foreign Ministry, Trade Ministry, State Committee for Science and Technologies, National Academy of Sciences, State Customs Committee, National Security Committee, Minsk City Council. The general sponsor of the forum is Beltekhexport.

The goal of the exposition is to showcase the products of the military enterprises and the companies manufacturing dual-use products, to facilitate contacts between the producers and customers of the military equipment, to sign contracts and agreements on the modernization of military equipment as well as to popularize military machinery and raise the prestige of the army.

139 enterprises, scientific and research institutes, universities and other organizations from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and Sweden took part in the MILEX-2007 exposition. A total of 3 000 exhibits were presented during the forum.

Belarusian Railways intent on using rapid trains

Tue Jul 29 21:00:00 2008 GMT

The Belarusian Railways is busy with a project to start transporting passengers at 160 km/h, Belarusian Railways CEO Vladimir Zherelo told a press conference in Minsk on July 30.

At present passenger trains can travel at 140 km/h between Osinovka and Brest (a section, which is 612 km long). “It is the figure we have agreed with Russian Railways. In the future we plan to increase the figure up to 160 km/h. Relevant work is already in progress,” said Vladimir Zherelo.

However, the official said, at present neither Russia nor Belarus has enough rolling stock able to travel at such speeds, including traction rolling stock. “There is only electric locomotive EP10. There are pilot samples, but they are already used to haul trains to Brest,” he noted.

Apart from that, the project to launch faster trains is expensive. “There are problem railway sections between Baranovichi and Minsk and between Minsk and Orsha where there are many curves. To make them straight in order to enable 160 km/h speed will not be cheap,” explained the Belarusian Railways CEO. The possibility of using body tilt cars in trains travelling from Moscow to Western Europe is under consideration. The centre of gravity of these cars can change depending on the curve and very much likely they will be able to travel these problem sections at 160 km/h. Scientists will look into it, noted Vladimir Zherelo.

In his words, at present passenger trains can travel at 120 km/h in virtually all parts of Belarus’ railways.

Mammoth remains unearthed at construction site in Minsk

Thu Jul 24 21:00:00 2008 GMT

Mammoth remains were discovered at a construction site in Mashinostroitelei Street in Minsk, BelTA learnt from Alexander Medvedev, the chief of the medieval architecture sector of the History Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.
The remains of tusks, teeth and skeleton of a mammoth were discovered at a depth of 4-7 metres. According to preliminary data, the mammoth was three or four years old and is thought to have died 20,000-40,000 years ago. “We will thoroughly examine the remains to identify the exact age of the mammoth. This information will prove useful for learning more about the migration routes of mammoths in Belarus,' A;exander Medvedev said.
On July 24, the History Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus sent the mammoth remains to the Belarusian State University for further study.

Presidents of Belarus, Venezuela to hold talks in Minsk

Tue Jul 22 21:00:00 2008 GMT

President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez is expected to arrive in Belarus on a working visit on July 23, the press service of the President of the Republic of Belarus told BelTA.

Hugo Chavez and Alexander Lukashenko are expected to hold both narrow-format and extended talks, with bilateral documents to be signed.

Hugo Chavez visited Belarus in 2006 and 2007.

In December 2007 Alexander Lukashenko paid an official visit to Venezuela. In Caracas the Belarusian head of state held talks with Hugo Chavez, during which the sides agreed to enhance cooperation in political, trade and economic, scientific and technical and humanitarian spheres. During the visit several important documents were signed and a Belarusian-Venezuelan oil-extracting joint venture in the State of Anzoategui was opened.

Minsk to host international specialized exhibition Budpragres 2008 on September 9-12

Tue Jul 22 21:00:00 2008 GMT

The international specialized exhibition Budpragres 2008 will be held in Minsk September 9-12, BelTA was told in Minskexpo, the organiser of the event.

Taking part in the 16th exhibition Budpragres 2008 will be major companies and organisations of Belarus, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

This year Belarusian producers will account for 90% of the participants. The biggest booth (300 sq. m. inside and 200 sq. m. outside) will be organised by the Ministry of Architecture ad Construction of Belarus.

This year Budpragres will occupy 15,000 square meters. The expositions will be organised in the football manege. Lift-and-carry equipment and other construction vehicles will be exhibited outside (the area of more than 2,000 square meters). More than 30 companies will present their products in the open air. They will be Belavtodor department, Belrosagroservice, Sfera-SK, Construction Equipment Company, Stroimash, office of Sermac S.p.A. in Russia and CIS, Technoremake Plus and Modostr firms.

Budpragres is the largest exhibition of the construction industry in Belarus. More than 400 companies from 10 countries took part in the event in 2007.

WB experts to visit Minsk to discuss energy efficiency project

Sun Jul 20 21:00:00 2008 GMT

A group of experts of the World Bank will visit Belarus July 22-25 to discuss the project “Increasing the energy efficiency in the Republic of Belarus”, BelTA was told in the Belinvsetenergosberezhenie company.

The World Bank is planning to issue a $150mn loan to finance the new project in Belarus. The loan will be used to finance the reconstruction of Belenergo’s large boiler houses to convert them into CHP plants (the approximate financing is $120 million) and modernisation of boiler houses of the Housing and Utilities Ministry ($30-40 million).

During the visit the WB experts will have meetings in the Energy Ministry, Belenergo company, Energy Efficiency Department of the Sate Standard Service, Belinvsetenergosberezhenie, in the Ministries of Economy and Finance.

The sides are going to discuss the preparation of the new loan agreement. Certain facilities which might be included in the project will be considered too.

The Energy Efficiency Department of the Sate Standard Service has prepared the feasibility reports for the first five facilities of the Housing and Utilities Ministry. Belenergo experts have also made their choice as to what facilities of the energy system will be included into the project. The WB experts are expected to state their opinion on these proposals.

The World Bank has provided Belarus a total of six loans to the tune of $258 million (the loans are issued for 17 years with a five-year deferment plan) and also 30 grants to the amount of $18 million. The World Bank also provides analytical and consulting services in economy, health, nature management and other areas.

First Deputy Mayor of Moscow elected chairman of Minsk-City Supervisory Board

Thu Jul 17 21:00:00 2008 GMT

First Deputy Mayor of Moscow Vladimir Resin was elected chairman of Minsk-city supervisory Board, BelTA was told in the ITERA press service.

The management company has been set up to implement a large-scale architectural project in Belarus.

The Minsk-City company will construct a mini-city in the Belarusian capital by 2020. The mini-city will occupy 318 hectares and will include a business centre, trading and entertainment facilities, a residential area and social facilities. The project is preliminarily estimated at $4.8 billion.

The strategic partner is the ITERA International Group of Companies. the Minsk-City company includes the construction company SU-155 that will act as a technical customer and general contractor and the Minsk city real estate centre representing the Minsk City Council.

Venezuela would like Minsk-Caracas flight to be launched as soon as possible

Fri Jun 27 21:00:00 2008 GMT

Venezuela would like the Minsk-Caracas service to be launched as soon as possible, head of the Venezuelan diplomatic mission in Belarus Americo Dнaz Nuсez told a press conference on June 27.

“We suggested that the Venezuelan state-owned airlines and the Belarusian Belavia consider this issue,” Americo Dнaz Nuсez noted. “Belavia and a Venezuelan company could organize connecting flights,” he added. “It could be a charter flight. There is a charter flight, for example, connecting Warsaw and Margarita Island,” the diplomat said. “Though we need to calculate if the number of passengers for these flights will be sufficient,” Americo Dнaz Nuсez noted.

According to the head of the Venezuelan diplomatic mission in Belarus, there is a vital necessity to open the flight between Minsk and Caracas as it is very difficult to go from one capital to the other.

Potential of Belarus-Syria economic cooperation not used in full

Wed Jun 25 21:00:00 2008 GMT

The potential of the economic cooperation between Belarus and Syria is not used to the full extent, Khalid Saluta, the Assistant Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade of the Syrian Arab Republic, said at the first session of the Belarusian-Syrian business council.

At present, a free trade zone between Belarus and Syria is being established. The decision about its formation was made at the fourth session of the intergovernmental Belarusian-Syrian committee on trade and economic cooperation. “This project is almost ready. We only have to set up some customs regulations to be used in this zone,” the Assistant Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade of Syria said.

The first session of the Belarusian-Syrian business council is designed to stir up the trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and Syria. An exhibition of Syrian products is planned to be held in Minsk in the nearest future. Khalid Saluta invited Belarusian businessmen to take part in the international exhibition that will be held in Damascus in August 2008.

Riyadh Khamad, the co-chairman of the Belarusian-Syrian business council, owner and president of the company ADAM Group, noted that the level of the trade and economic relations between Belarus and Syria does not fully reflect the cooperation potential. According to him, in 2002 the trade between the two countries totalled $16 million; in 2007 it neared $45 million which is insufficient. Riyadh Khamad expressed the hope for the intensification of the trade and economic relations between Belarus and Syria.

According to first deputy chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Nikolai Sakhar, in 1998 the BCCI signed a cooperation agreement with the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce. In 2006, a business council foundation agreement was signed.

The delegation composed of 25 major companies from Syria came to Belarus on June 23 to establish economic relations with Belarusian businessmen. The visit will last till June 28.

Minsk becomes centre of regional bioethical network in CIS

Wed May 28 21:00:00 2008 GMT

Minsk is becoming the centre of the regional bioethical network in the CIS under the auspices of the UNESCO.

A seminar-training for experts in bioethics from the CIS member states and the UNESCO headquarters will be held in the Belarusian capital on November 17-21, 2008, BelTA learnt in the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

Belarus has started to carry out projects in the field of bioethics since 2005. In June 2006, the National Committee on Bioethics was set up. The committee introduces legislative initiatives on human rights protection in the field of biomedicine, coordinates the work of local committees, provides bioethical education.

At present, Minsk is a coordination and resource centre on developing the bioethical training in the CIS.

Thus, the international research conference Sakharov’s Readings 2008: Ecological Problems of the 21st Century was held in Sakharov’s International State Ecological University in May 2008. The conference is organized by the Sakharov International State Ecological University under the auspices of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry, the Education Ministry, the Belarusian National Fund of Fundamental Research, Illinois University (the USA), the UNESCO Bureau in Moscow.

This year attending the conference were about 500 researchers from Belarus, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Moldova and Kazakhstan and also representatives of the Belarusian ministries of emergencies, energy, education, natural resources and environment protection, the health ministry.

The participants of the conference discussed the up-to-date research in ecology. More than 470 reports on medical ecology, bio-monitoring and bioindication, radioecology and radiation security, information systems and ecological technologies, ecological management, ecological monitoring and others were presented at the forum. The researchers also considered the problems and prospects of development of the renewable energy in Belarus and the issues concerning the ecological education and ecological ethics.

A seminar-training on ecological-ethical education for professors of Belarusian universities is expected to be held in summer this year.

Sakharov International State Ecological University was inaugurated in 1992. It trains specialists in ecology. The university conducts research in radioecology, radiation safety, nuclear medicine, radiation technologies. Scientists of the university also study the consequences of nuclear accidents. The university cooperates with IAEA, UNIESCO and also with educational centres of Great Britain, the USA, France, Greece, Israel, Slovakia and Poland. Students of the university participate in various international research and educational projects.

The National airline Belavia starts regular Minsk-Milan flights

Sun May 11 21:00:00 2008 GMT

Since June, 15th the National airline 'Belavia' begins regular flights from Minsk to Milan, according to the information presented to BELTA by the airway.

A new regular flight B2 881/B2 882 Minsk- Milan-Minsk will be carried out by the plane Boeing 737-500 three times a week. 'Opening of a new through flight between Minsk and Milan is one more step in the expansion of Belavia's routs and creation of the best opportunities for travelling to cities of Italy,' - experts noted.

At the moment Belavia carries out regular flights from Minsk to Rome three times a week. With the introduction of the new flight frequency of flights between Belarus and Italy will be carried out on practically a daily basis (except for Saturdays), and that will give passengers a chance to use their time in the country of destination with peak efficiency.

12th international exhibition “Media in Belarus” to be open April 28

Sun Apr 27 21:00:00 2008 GMT

More than 800 exhibits from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and China will be showcased at the 12th international specialized exhibition “Media in Belarus” which will be held in the exhibition centre BelExpo from April 28 to May 1.

The exposition of the Russian Federation will be extremely representative. It includes the media of Volgograd, Ulianovsk, Riasan, Cheliabinsk, Archangelsk, Moscow oblasts, Stavropol Krai, the city of Moscow. Widely represented will be military, students’ and children’s media as well as the media of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.

An honorable guest of the professional forum will be the media of the Brest oblast. The regional media in Belarus becomes more professional and the media from the Brest oblast proves this statement.

A diverse programme is prepared for the participants and guests of the forum. Presentations of printed press, television and radio channels, internet sites as well as competitions, master classes and debate will be held. The visitors will be able to get an expert opinion of the professionals.

An official award ceremony of the 4th National Printed Press Competition “Golden Letter” will take place on the first day of the exhibition.

April 28-30, the 3rd Belarusian information forum “Media in globalization era: topical issues” will be held in the National Library of Belarus.

More than 300 companies from 18 countries to take part in Belarusian Industrial Forum

Thu Apr 24 21:00:00 2008 GMT

More than 300 companies from 18 countries will take part in the Belarusian Industrial Forum which will be held in Minsk on May 13-16.

The programme of the forum will include international symposium “Technologies – Equipment – Quality”, exhibitions “Belpromexpo – up-to-date plant”, “Energy and Resource-Saving Technologies”, “Welding” and also the 5th international contest of energy and resource-saving technologies and equipment and the 4th national contest of welders. Some 14 seminars and round tables for specialists will be held within the framework of the forum.

The Belarusian Industrial Forum is a traditional display of up-to-date innovation technologies and equipment. The forum will pay a special attention to the problems of energy-saving and energy efficiency. This issue will become one of the most important problems at a plenary session of symposium “Technologies – Equipment – Quality”.

International specialized exhibition “Energy and Resource-Saving Technologies” will include two sections. Thus, section “Waste Energy” will present the up-to-date approaches to the use of local fuel types and combustible wastes at boiler-houses and technological installations. Section “Energy Saving in Construction” will showcase energy efficient technologies and construction materials.

Exhibition “Belpromexpo – up-to-date plant” is expected to be popular among industrialists. The exhibition will display technological equipment not only for big plants but for small companies as well. On the initiative of the Industry Ministry a workshop will be organized on the base of a subsidiary production unit of ZAO Atlant. There participants of the forum will be able to get familiar with the organization of a new production facility.

This year expositions of all the oblasts of the country and free economic zones will be presented at the Belarusian Industrial Forum for the first time. Display “Regions of Russia” will showcase the products produced by companies of the Volgograd, Samara and Novgorod oblasts of the Russian Federation”.

Minsk`s scientists to introduce their developments at Hannover Trade Fair on 21-25 April, 2008

Sun Apr 20 21:00:00 2008 GMT

Minsk`s scientists will introduce their developments at Hannover Trade Fair which will take place April, 21-25, 2008. These are know-hows in the field of radio electronics, laser technology and nanotechnology, new materials of light industry and medical industry, environment control. In particular, Metolit Technopark of the Belarusian State Polytechnic University will negotiate a further contract with German partners on sale of absorption biochemical installations for vent air purification. Metolit Technopark will also present unique medical equipment.

Constitutional Court of Belarus, Venice Commission to hold joint seminar in Minsk

Wed Apr 16 21:00:00 2008 GMT

The Constitutional Court of Belarus and the Venice Commission will hold a joint seminar in Minsk on April 24. The theme will be “Using international legal acts in exercising the rights, freedoms and legal interests of citizens in the national legislation and exercising constitutional right of citizens for legal protection in the Republic of Belarus: problems and prospects”, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of Belarus Andrei Popov told a news briefing on April 17.

Secretary of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio is expected to attend the seminar.

The European Commission for Democracy through Law, better known as the Venice Commission, was established in 1990. It has 51 full members (all countries of the Council of Europe, Algeria, Republic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan and Chile).

The commission offers assistance to the member states in constitution engineering, provides international-legal expert analysis of the national legislation, conducts international seminars and cooperates with constitutional courts.

Belarus has been an associate member of the organisation since 1994. The interaction with this organisation is one of the elements of cooperation of Belarus with the Council of Europe.

Representatives of the Venice Commission took part in the seminar “Strengthening the principles of democratic legal state in the Republic of Belarus through constitutional control” in Minsk in June 2003.

In September 2004, Minsk played host to a joint seminar of the Constitutional Court and Venice Commission “Constitutional control and development of the socio-economic state.”

SAR Embassy’s Office to open in Minsk

Wed Apr 9 21:00:00 2008 GMT

An office of the South African Embassy is expected to open in Minsk, BelTA learnt from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the South African Republic to Belarus (on concurrent) Dr. Bheki Winston Joshua Langa. At present the South African Embassy operates in Moscow.
On April 8, a solemn meeting on the occasion of the national holiday of the South African Republic was held in Minsk. During the reception, the South African Ambassador noted the high level of the bilateral Belarusian-South African relations. According to him, the relations between the two countries date back to the Soviet times when Belarus actively helped South Africa.

International conference to mark WWI 90th anniversary to take place in Minsk

Thu Apr 3 21:00:00 2008 GMT

A historical exhibition and an international scientific conference marking the 90th anniversary of the completion of the World War I will take place in Minsk in autumn 2008, BelTA learnt from Sergei Musienko, the head of the analytical center EcooM. At the conference in Vienna “Belarus in Europe: economic cooperation and political dialogue”, Sergei Musienko offered to hold the events in the Belarusian capital.

Duchess Natali Golitsyna, the President of the Russian Club of Art and Culture (with the headquarters in Berlin), supported the idea. “Natali Golitsyna stated that the Russian Club is ready to support the arrangements. The Club is prepared to address the monarchic houses of the European countries that took part in the WWI (Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Greece and others) and the European cultural community to participate in the conference in Minsk,” Sergei Musienko said.

The duchess is willing to set up an organizational committee and present family archives of the World War I. An exhibition of the WWI photographs, medals and orders is also among the plans. Sergei Musienko does not rule out that the representatives of the European Parliament and other European structures will take part in the events. “In Vienna the officials of Western Europe were surprised by finding out that Belarus had no monuments and memorial boards related to the WWI where over 1.5 million Belarusians were killed, Smorgon and Baranovichi witnessed bloody battles,” Sergei Musienko stated.

The Russian Club of Art and Culture was founded in 1998 by Natali Golitsyna who had been bestowed an order of Saint Grand Duchess Olga, the supreme women’s order of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Russian Club is non-political organization, which main objective is to revive and increase cultural and spiritual traditions of the Russian society.

Abu Dhabi, Minsk to start regular air communication in May 2009

Thu Mar 27 22:00:00 2008 GMT

The authorities of the United Arab Emirates have decided to launch the regular air communication between Abu Dhabi and Minsk in May 2009, Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov stated at a session focusing on cooperation with the Persian Gulf countries.
Sergei Martynov noted that foreign partners are greatly interested in using Belarus’ advantageous geographical position to establish the international passenger and cargo air communication.
The Foreign Minister of Belarus acknowledged a number of moot points in the development of cooperation with the countries of the Persian Gulf. According to the minister, Belarusian companies are passive and inert in advancing their products to the Persian Gulf market. Sergei Martynov finds it prosperous to export the products of BMZ, Belshina and also foodstuffs. The authorities of the Belarusian companies “should not seat still and wait, but take initiative in boosting their products”. It is imperative to set up Belarus’ assemblage facilities in the Persian Gulf countries.
According to the minister, it is important to cooperate in such areas of mutual interest as investments in the production and immovable property, military technical field, high technologies, air communication. The Persian Gulf region can be used as a ground for re-exports of Belarusian goods and services.

Estonian national carrier launches direct flight to Minsk

Sun Feb 10 22:00:00 2008 GMT

The Estonian national carrier Estonian Air has launched direct flights from Tallinn to Minsk. The first flight will be made on February 11, BelTA learnt from the aviation department of the Belarusian Ministry of Transport and Communication.
The flights will be made by aircraft SAAB 340 three times a week.
Estonian Air was founded on December 1 1991. Estonian Air makes flights to Stockholm, Copenhagen, London, Hamburg, Kiev, Moscow, Vilnius, Frankfurt, Berlin, Oslo, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels and Riga.

Minsk to host CIS ministerial consultations January 16-17

Mon Jan 14 22:00:00 2008 GMT

The consultations of the heads of the CIS affairs departments of the foreign ministries of the CIS member states will take place in Minsk on January 16-17.

The consultations will focus on the tasks of the foreign ministries to implement the CIS Development Concept and the plan of major action on its execution, the issues related to the plan of the CIS multilevel ministerial consultations in 2007 and the draft plan for 2008.

Attending the consultations will be Sergei Lebedev, the Chairman of the Executive Committee – the CIS Executive Secretary.

Opening of Swedish Embassy in Minsk in 2008 to Speed up Visa Issue Procedures

Fri Jan 11 22:00:00 2008 GMT

The opening of the Swedish embassy in Minsk in the second half of 2008 attests to the desire of Sweden to develop all-round cooperation with Belarus. The opening of the embassy will give an impetus to the development of cooperation in trade and economic, humanitarian, cultural and scientific areas. It will also speed up the visa issue procedures for travelers from Belarus as the decision on visa issuing is taken in the Swedish embassy in Moscow.
Belarus has been notified about the plans to open the embassy in Minsk. The ambassador of Sweden to Belarus has not bee appointed yet.
The diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Kingdom of Sweden were established in January 1992. The Belarusian embassy to Stockholm opened in November 1999. An honorary consulate of Sweden in Minsk was inaugurated in May 2000. A Section Office in Minsk of the Swedish Embassy in Moscow was opened on November 11, 2003.

In Belarus the year 2008 declared the Year of Health

Thu Jan 3 22:00:00 2008 GMT

President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has signed Decree No. 1 “On Declaring 2008 the Year of Health”.

This document is geared toward creating an enabling environment for promoting a healthy lifestyle, boosting healthcare, physical culture and sports, ensuring ecological security, safeguarding moral values and high moral standards in relationships.

The declaration of the Year of Health in Belarus will continue the policy aimed at establishing the healthy nation. The actions taken within the framework of the Year of Health will become the next step on the path of improving health of the Belarusian citizens and settling the demographic problem. At the same time the Year of Health logically develops and completes the priorities of its predecessors – the Year of Mother and the Year of Baby. The Year of Health will help popularize healthy lifestyle and reduce the sickness rate in Belarus.

The United Nations launches International Year of the Potato 2008

Mon Dec 31 22:00:00 2007 GMT

The United Nations officially launched 'International Year of the Potato 2008'. By this action UN attracts attention of world public to importance of this high yielder in improving food security and poverty alleviation.

Potato is considered to be the basis of dietary intake of many countries around the world.

The move to 'increase awareness of the importance of the potato as a food in developing nations' was proposed by the UN's Rome-based Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and adopted by the General Assembly in 2005.

According to the specialists of FAO it is necessary to build up the volume of food and agricultural production by 6 per cent in the near future. The specialists believe the planet’s population is increasing too quickly. Potato remains the main agricultural staple and “the second bread”.

Potato is one of the most popular worldwide crops. Its production is almost on the same level with wheat, rice and maize production. In 2006 315 mln tons of potato were produced, 40 per cent of potato production is in China, India and Russia - the biggest producers of potato.

While consumption of potatoes has decreased in Europe, it has doubled over the last 40 years in developing numbers, though the total remains less than a quarter of that in Europe.

FAO’s specialists affirm that potato, rich in vitamin C and contain only one per cent fat.

Presidents of Belarus and Russia to Hold Talks in Minsk on December 14

Thu Dec 13 22:00:00 2007 GMT

On December 14, within the framework of the visit of the Russian President to Minsk Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin will hold official talks, lay a wreath at the Victory monument and will partake in a session of the Union State Supreme State Council, BelTA learnt in the Belarusian leader’s press service.

The Supreme State Council will discuss the implementation of the budget-2007 and the budget-2008, a plan of joint foreign policy actions, trade-economic relations and other urgent issues.

On December 13, Alexander Lukashenko met with Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Minsk on an official visit. The two leaders held a face-to-face informal meeting in the ski centre Silichi. The presidents discussed a wide range of pressing issues relating to the bilateral Belarusian-Russian relations.

Minsk to Host Forum on Scientific-innovation Development of Belarus and Latvia

Thu Dec 13 22:00:00 2007 GMT

On December 18-19, Minsk will host a forum on scientific-innovation development of Belarus and Latvia.
As BelTA learnt from the administration of the Tech-Park of the Belarusian National Technical University Metolit, the forum is aimed at boosting cooperation between scientific organizations and establishments of Belarus and Latvia. Participants of the forum will discuss the main areas of the further research work, will consider urgent problems of scientific-innovation development of the two states and will share information about scientific developments. The best works of the Belarusian and Latvian scientists will be presented at the forum.
The conference will also promote scientific, commercial and production links between scientists of both the countries. Research organisations of Belarus and Latvia are expected to sign new cooperation agreements.
The forum will be organised by the State Committee for Science and Technology of the Republic of Belarus, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Latvian Republic, the Belarusian-Latvian Technology Transfer Centre and the Tech-Park of the Belarusian National Technical University Metolit.

A Model of Artificial Microbrain, or Biochip to Expand the Size of Human Memory

Sun Dec 9 22:00:00 2007 GMT

The department of Biophysics of Belarusian State University works on the model of artificial microbrain, or biochip which will be able to make human memory as large as computer memory.

It is a sophisticated sensor of miniature size. Biochip, transmitted large scale information, will be possible to combine with the cells of human brain. So, the exchange of messages between human brain and computer, connected to chip will become a reality. Scientists believe that introduction of the development will open up new possibilities of recovery of disturbed memory. At present, bio physicist and their colleagues from Institute of Physiology of the Academy of Science try to decode principles of operation of the brain.

On-line Version of Belarus Red Book

Tue Nov 27 22:00:00 2007 GMT

An electronic version of the Red Book of Belarus is available on the Internet now, reported Marina Grischenko, the main specialist of the department of reserve management and studies of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Republic of Belarus. The resource includes two sections - plants and animals which are under state protection. It gives complete information about many species of animals and plants, their habitat, about the peculiarities of their biology, about plant population and animal numbers. It also contains a list of animals and plants, which have disappeared or under the treat of disappearance.

Clocks Are Turned Back An Hour

Thu Oct 25 21:00:00 2007 GMT

The summer-time period traditionally ends the last Sunday of October at 3 a.m. This year clocks will be turned back one hour at 3 a.m. on 28th of October.

The Scientists of the Institute of Microbiology Produced A New Mushroom-Based Biofertilizer

Tue Oct 23 21:00:00 2007 GMT

The scientists of the Institute of Microbiology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Belarus produced a new mushroom-based biofertilizer. As Zynaida Aleschenkova, Doctor of Biological Sciences and an assistant manager on scientific work of the Institute, has said to a correspondent of the agency “Minsk-news” the fertilizer will be used in preplanting cultivation of seeds. Mushrooms, known also as endomycorhizal mushrooms, contain a lot of phosphorus, nitrogen, microelements and many other useful elements which make agricultural plants more disease-resistant and drought-resistant. The fertilizers will protect agricultural plants from radionuclides in soil, heavy metals and harmful chemical substances.

Belarussian Scientists Have Developed A New Bird Flu Prophylactic Drug

Thu Oct 18 21:00:00 2007 GMT

Belarussian scientists have developed a new bird flu prophylactic drug. The drug is based on recovered materials – galvanical waste products of Belarussian chemical enterprises. To prevent the bird flu virus it is enough to pulverize this drug in the premises of poultry factories. That is all. The drug will ensure protection of any bacteria and viruses, including bird flu virus.

The creators of the drug are the scientists of Research Institute for Physico-Chemical Problems of Belarussian State University. Scientists of India, China, Vietnam and some other countries are interested in the drug.

A New Technology of Obtaining Drinking Water from Polluted Sources Has Been Elaborated

Sun Oct 7 21:00:00 2007 GMT

Belarussian State University has elaborated a radically new technology of obtaining drinking water from almost any polluted sources. As a laboratory chief of cellulose solution and its conversion products of Research Institute of Physico-Chemical Problems Dmitriy Grinshpan has told to a correspondent of the agency “Minsk-news” this technology is a unique know-how.
Five mobile water purification units with productivity of 0,5-1 ton of water per hour and some hundreds of individual sets per 10-100 litres of water based on this technology have already been produced by the Research Institute in collaboration with the Ministry For Emergency Situations of The Republic of Belarus.
Such units and sets can be used both in emergency situations of peace and war-time, as well as at the civilian objects – in areas where public water supply systems are not available. These technologies and units can be exported to the countries facing drinking water problems.

Again Heat

Tue Aug 21 21:00:00 2007 GMT

Last time such anomalous heat was noted in the third decade of August 15 years ago. In 1992 the temperature set new records almost every day. Within nine days on end air temperature was above 30 degrees above zero, and on August, 30 - almost 34. According to the weather forecasters it is early to say whether this month will break the records of August of a 15-years-ago period. Nevertheless, the heat in August is a rare phenomenon. Extremely warm weather for August in Minsk lasts for two weeks already. Almost every day the column of the thermometer reaches 28-30 degrees above zero. Only last weekends the heat fell for a short period of time after atmospheric front cool air has come to Belarus from Baltic Sea. Now the weather is extremely hot again.

As Olga Fedotova the main weather forecaster of Republican Hydremeteorological Service has told to a correspondent of agency “Minsk-news” “We are waiting for air mass from the south-east of Ukraine on the 21st-23rd of August. Therefore this week the temperature in Minsk will be more than 30 degrees above zero. Nevertheless on Friday another atmospheric front will bring to us rains and cool weather. On Saturday, it will be cool and the temperature will be not more than 20 degrees above zero. On Sunday it will be warmer up to 24 degrees above zero. Precipitations are not expected”

Traces of Unknown Animals

Mon Aug 13 21:00:00 2007 GMT

Minsk zoo expects grand changes. A dolphinarium, a greenhouse and new attractions are only part of a five year plan for development of the zoo.

- At the first stage 10 open-air cages for predators will be constructed, and a stable for 20 horses, - the leading engineer of the zoo Stanislav Ivanov explained. – Next stage is the appearance of a vivarium for rodents and an insectary (a premise for insects). Among other plans is the appearance of open-air cages for birds at the flood-land of Svisloch river, the accomplishment of quay and the construction of children's cafe.

The third and the last stage, includes the construction of an oceanarium with a dolphinarium.

Drink for All Occasions

Sun Aug 12 21:00:00 2007 GMT

Minsk Vegetable Factory put out herbal tea made of local herbs. It is planned to produce 540 thousand tea packages a year. The factory worked up 6 kinds of different tea drinks. Most drinks are made of herbs, but some of them contain black or green tea. Every package has its own description when and why to drink it. For example, one tea is better to drink in the morning, another one is in the evening, the third one is after banya, the forth one-to boost your mood.

The territory for growing medicinal herbs in Minsk Vegetable Factory makes up 18 hectares of hothouses. A small amount of herbal stuff is supplied to enterprise “Medical preparations”, but the majority of herbs are used for tea drinks. In perspective an assortment of tea of Minsk Vegetable Factory will be expanded to 12 kinds of tea.

Honey Saviour Is Coming

Wed Aug 8 21:00:00 2007 GMT

International Festival “Honey Saviour-2007” will be celebrated near the Palace of Sport in the Pobediteley Avenue from 10 to 19 August. Beekeepers from all Belarus, Russia and Ukraine will come to the capital. The program of the festival is very various. For children there will be a sanitary action called “At bee’s” where children will take quizzes and other contests, see fairy performance and visit the exhibition of children drawings and other articles, sing and dance in a ring and go on the rides. As for adults there will be honey tasting and tasting of other beekeeping products, trade exhibition of art articles of Svyato-Elisavetinskiy Monastery and Belarussian Union of Craftsmen, photo exhibition and concert.

Renewal of Regular Air Communication Between Minsk and Ashkhabad

Mon Aug 6 21:00:00 2007 GMT

Regular air flights between Minsk and Ashkhabad are going to resume. Airline “Turkmenistan” is operating regular flights. As it was told to a reporter of agency Minsk-news by press-secretary of Department of aviation Anna Kudritskaya, the flights will be made by airliners Boeing 737 and Boeing 757. Preliminary date on opening flight is August, 11.

Exhibition « Antarctica. The first steps of the Belarusian researchers »

Wed Jun 6 21:00:00 2007 GMT

The exhibition «Antarctica. The first steps of the Belarus researchers » has opened in the State museum of the nature and ecology. The exposition based on polar photos, minerals, samples of polar equipment and the equipment. By the way, about hundred representatives from our country, the majority employees of the Republican hydro meteorological center worked there for years of the Soviet researches of Ice continent. And from last year the Belarus polar explorers again participate in development of Antarctica. Not far away that day when the Belarus polar explorers will begin own researches of the most mysterious continent of our planet.

Among polar explorers - our names

Mon Apr 2 21:00:00 2007 GMT

Belarusians, participants of the 52-nd Russian Antarctic expedition, are coming back after explorations on the ice continent near the former Belarusian Antarctic station «Mountain «Evening». Belarusian participants of the previous expeditions will meet colleagues. By the way, about hundred representatives of our country have been worked for years researching Antarctica. The majority of them were employees of the Belarusian hydro meteorological center. However, it is quite complicated to call exact number of polar explorers from Belarus as some of them took part in two and more Antarctic expeditions.

Face on envelope

Wed Mar 28 21:00:00 2007 GMT

In the near future every Minsk inhabitant will get an opportunity to send the correspondence with own image on postage stamps. As the leading engineer of 'Stamp' publishing center Oleg Gajko told to the correspondent of agency 'Minsk-news', enterprise 'Belpost' has set for itself a task to prepare technical base for development of a new philately direction in Belarus - printing the personified stamps. It will be soon possible to come on mail, to be photographed in special room and to order stamps with just made picture. Thus, exchanging the correspondence, it is possible will not only read the message, but to see on the envelope the face of the one who has sent it as well.

Even birds hurry home

Tue Mar 27 21:00:00 2007 GMT

Half of 95 kinds of passage birds has already returned to capital. Weather warm, and birds hurry to native lands. In the city reservoirs and in parks it is possible to see ducks, the lake and silvery seagull, lapwings, larks. Transits through Belarus capital birds of prey, cranes fly. The arrival storks have pleased us the arrival storks two weeks earlier. In April Minsk inhabitants will meet martins, swallows, nightingales.

- Capital ornithologists prepare a map of a mass gathering of birds during their migration, - Irina Samusenko the scientific employee of Institute of zoology of the National academy of sciences of Belarus stated that in connection with threat of the bird's flu two stations of supervision for birds are organized. In March it was not revealed mass loss of birds.

Name for leopard

Mon Mar 26 21:00:00 2007 GMT

Everyone can take participation in an action «To save each of remained». The purpose of the action to keep a population of Far Eastern leopards from disappearing. For a she-leopard living in Minsk zoo have brought the rare animal male. But the leopard arrived to the capital zoo anonymous, so the inhabitants should choose a name for it. For this reason within several weeks in large supermarkets interrogation will be spent. The computer game «To save leopard» released within the framework of the action in circulation in three thousand copies. Disks will be distributed in shops of city; citizens will recieve also souvenirs with symbol of the action. Workers of the zoo are going to lead a series of the open lessons of biology and ecology where guides will tell about this significant event in the zoo.