Union State Council of Ministers sums up results of trade and economic co-operation for Belarus and Russia — until first half of this year

Bilateral format continues to grow stronger

By Mikhail Svetlov

Union State Council of Ministers sums up results of trade and economic co-operation for Belarus and Russia — until first half of this year

Union State Council of Ministers session

Union State Council of Ministers session


Governmental heads of our two countries agree that the Union State is, in many respects, an exemplary integration model. Belarus’ Prime Minister, Mikhail Myasnikovich, notes, “We have rather good experience of creating the Union State, which promotes multilateral co-operation, including the Eurasian Economic Union. I believe that, under the current situation of expansion of mutual trade and investment co-operation, we must use the Russian Rouble more for payments.”

After creating the Eurasian Economic Union, the Union State continues to have relevance, and even grows stronger. The Chairman of the Russian Government, Dmitry Medvedev, asserts, “From next year, with the launch of the Eurasian Economic Union, relations between Russia and Belarus will receive impetus, entering a new stage of integration. Four freedoms need to be guaranteed: movements of goods, services, labour and capital. The Union State format won’t disappear — only becoming stronger.”

Minsk suggests improving long-term forecasting in the Union State, moving from annual forecasts to medium and long-term goals for joint industrial and energy policy, guiding our two countries’ investment decisions.

Participants of the meeting discussed key parameters for the Union budget for 2015 (remaining at about 5 billion Russian Roubles). This is deemed adequate for its programme of co-ordinated foreign policy, and Union State social development for 2011-2015.

The State Secretary of the Union State, Grigory Rapota, notes that western sanctions towards Russia are an obstacle to development, saying, “Any embargo brings some complexity into trade and economic relations. Quite probably, that is what’s causing some production to be put on hold. We hope that, by the end of the year, a decent level will be achieved. Belarus remains one of Russia’s key trade and economic partners — as Russia is for Belarus.
Заметили ошибку? Пожалуйста, выделите её и нажмите Ctrl+Enter