Putin and Lukashenko sign program for integration of Russia and Belarus

Quote from Timothy Fitzpatrick on November 4, 2021, 20:52

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.

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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.

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Russia and Belarus will continue to develop military cooperation

The meeting approved the new Military Doctrine of the Union State, on the basis of which Russia and Belarus will strengthen the regional grouping of troops. As the State Secretary of the Union State Dmitry Mezentsev saidduring 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, it will be necessary to adopt more than 400 laws and agreements.

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.

Lukashenko complained that Putin did not take him with him to Crimea

Summing up the results of the meeting, Lukashenko noted that he and Putin will still find time to discuss some issues of integration. He proposed to organize a meeting in the near future, complaining that Putin had not invited him to Sevastopol with him.

“Vladimir Vladimirovich promised me everything, promised that he would take me with him to Crimea, show what was done there, and take me along the road. But today one left, he did not invite me with him. I am making such a complaint (...). If not in Crimea [we'll meet] already, well, maybe we'll go to St. Petersburg, we'll see what is going on in our homeland. And I, in turn, invite you to my homeland - it is 20 minutes from Moscow, you know this place. And to Minsk at any opportunity. This is to defuse tension. But there is only a grain of joke in this joke. All this is true, ”Lukashenka summed up.

Russia and Belarus have been discussing an integration program since 1999

Negotiations in 2019-2020 related to the 31st roadmap on integration in various spheres of economy and management. However, the parties postponed close political integration. At the same time, Lukashenka said earlier that he wants to preserve the sovereignty of Belarus within the framework of the Union State. He opposed the formation of new supranational bodies and proposed to consider the association exclusively within the framework of intersectoral cooperation.

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