Russia Signs Agreement to Integrate More Closely With Belarus

Machine translated from Russian.

Putin and Lukashenko approve 28 roadmaps for the integration of Russia and Belarus

The Supreme State Council of the Union State adopted 28 integration programs. Russia and Belarus have reached agreements on trade, economic, defense and migration cooperation, as well as in some other areas of joint work. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarus is not just a good neighbor and closest ally. “This is a truly fraternal republic, fraternal people. And we strive to do everything to keep it this way forever,” he said. Russia expects that all the reached and formalized agreements between the countries will be implemented, Putin added.

In turn, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko called the Union State “a priority of priorities.” He expressed confidence that the countries have created a unique integration model. “We are actively cooperating in various areas and are aimed at further expanding the union integration, defending the historical and moral values ​​common to our fraternal peoples,” he said.

Countries agreed on common principles of taxation and customs legislation

Belarus and Russia are starting to reset the joint economic space. It involves the introduction of modern technologies and decision-making methods. The implementation of integration programs should enable the two countries to create a level playing field for doing business. For example, the countries will establish uniform rules for the supply of food to the Union State market.

According to the Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko, in the near future the parties intend to conclude an international agreement on general principles of taxation. Another important area of ​​cooperation will be the harmonization of customs legislation.

At the same time, Putin drew attention to the fact that oil and gas issues still cause controversy between Russia and Belarus, but very serious progress has been made in this area as well. “The cost of energy resources for Minsk is 9-10 times lower than spot prices in Europe, and 3-4 times cheaper than under long-term contracts with Europe,” he said.

Russia and Belarus will continue to develop military cooperation

At the meeting, a new Military Doctrine of the Union State was approved, on its basis Russia and Belarus will strengthen the regional grouping of troops. As the State Secretary of the Union State Dmitry Mezentsev said during the meeting, the adoption of this document is due to the change in the military-political situation in the region, the emergence of new challenges and threats for the two countries.

“The new military doctrine will increase the level of coherence of defense policy, timely adapt the tasks of the defense ministries, taking into account the changes in the military-political situation in the region,” Mezentsev said.

The Union State will receive a unified concept of migration policy

The document signed by Putin and Lukashenko defines the directions of activities of the ministries of internal affairs, state security bodies, border services and foreign affairs agencies in the field of migration. “The relevance of the document is also confirmed in their own way by the latest events on the border of Belarus and the European Union,” said State Secretary of the Union State Dmitry Mezentsev.

To implement union programs, more than 400 laws and agreements will need to be passed

According to Putin, the countries have yet to adopt a number of documents to deepen cooperation, including in the economy and the military sphere. It is also planned to bring the interaction of government bodies to a new level. Soon , work will begin on creating the symbols of the Union State.

In total, for the implementation of union programs, it will be necessary to adopt more than 400 legislative acts and agreements. At the same time, Lukashenka proposed to reform the Union State media, create a single media holding of the Union State, and not “put money on different plates.” 

In this regard, he did not bypass the Russian Telegram channels, complaining that they criticized him and doubted that the union programs and integration documents would be signed.

Source: Lenta.ru

Lukashenko regrets not going to Crimea together with Putin

At a session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Belarus and Russia on 4 November Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko regretted the fact that his Russian counterpart, who was in Sevastopol on that day, had not invited him to come to Crimea, BelTA has learned.

Summing up results of the Supreme State Council session, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that he and the Russian president would still find time to discuss some aspects of Union State construction. “In conclusion I would like to complain to members of the Supreme State Council. Ukraine has closed the sky for Belarus and we cannot get to Crimea via Ukraine in any way. While we have properties and some other problems over there. And Vladimir Vladimirovich had been promising me all the time that he would take me to Crimea, show new things, what new things have been done over there. And a lot has been done. He promised he would take me to Crimea along the way. But today he went there alone and didn’t invite me to come along. This is why I present my complaint before members of the Supreme State Council,” the Belarus president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested visiting St Petersburg – the city Vladimir Putin grew up in – instead of Crimea and look at what is being done over there.

“In turn, I invite you to come to my motherland (you know this place) and to Minsk at any convenient opportunity,” the Belarus president said.

“I’ve said it to reduce tensions. But this joke is only partially a joke. All of it is true,” the Belarusian leader added.

Aleksandr Lukashenko admitted he would like to see a monument that had been erected in Sevastopol recently. It is dedicated to all the people, who fought during the Civil War in 1918-1920. The memorial stands on the shore of Karantinnaya Bay. “A surprising wonder. I am a historian and I didn’t know it. Vladimir Vladimirovich told me the story of two twin brothers. One fought in the White Army and the other one fought in the Red Army,” the president noted. “It is an important monument. I’d like to see this monument and know this story.”

Vladimir Putin remarked that on that day he indeed participated in the Supreme State Council session while in Sevastopol to mark Russia’s National Unity Day. “The monument is very good. I recommend seeing it. And the story is certainly very gripping,” he said.

The Russian leader noted that they would always be glad to see the Belarus president so that he could personally take a look at this monument.

Source: Belta