Economic Results of Interstate Integration for the Regions of the Russian-Belarusian Borderland

Abstract

This article examines the theoretical aspects of interstate integration and the practical impact of this process on the economic characteristics of border regions. The main views of economists on international economic integration are highlighted. In the practical part, within the framework of the implementation of the purpose of the study, which is to evaluate the results of the integration process between the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation for the economy of the border regions, the dynamics of the gross regional product per capita, indicators of the standard of living, and population are analyzed. It has been established that the border regions have not improved their economic indicators in comparison with national indicators. The factor of interstate integration did not allow the border regions of the Russian-Belarusian borderland to overcome economic peripherality. Common problems for the border regions are associated with demographic processes, a lag in the level of income of the population, and low rates of growth of GRP. It is proposed to overcome the lag by developing a supranational strategy for the development of border territories, which will coordinate the issues of industrial, economic, cultural, scientific and educational activities in the Vitebsk, Mogilev, Gomel, Pskov, Smolensk and Bryansk regions.