Belarus, Russia need to reconcile 2-3 union programmes of economic nature - Lukashenko

<p> MINSK, Apr 22 - PrimePress. There are only two or three union programmes of economic nature remaining for Belarus and Russia to reconcile. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made a statement to this effect during a meeting in the Kremlin with Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 22, the press service of the Belarusian president said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “We are making some serious progress with the union programmes. Remember, we started with the maps (roadmaps for deeper integration of Belarus and Russia – editor’s note). Very serious programmes. We have probably agreed on 26 or 27 programs at the government level. There are not many left, two or three very serious economic programmes, including taxation - a well-known programme, on which we made a decision in Minsk. By and by, we are moving forward. But there are vital issues that just need to be consolidated, including security and defence of our Union State. Although, all in all, we can and will manage it for now. And we will draw the lines, which should not be crossed, and we will adequately respond to those, who do not understand that one should be more peaceful and live together in this crazy world,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p>   </p> <p> He reminded that in late 2020 the heads of states drew up an action plan. The presidents of Belarus and Russia have met twice recently in Sochi (on 14 September 2020 and 22 February 2021 – editor’s note) to discuss various issues not only of current affairs, but also the strategic plan. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “Last time we agreed that our governments will work seriously in Minsk. Thank you Mikhail Vladimirovich (Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who on April 16, 2021 visited Belarus at the head of the Russian government delegation – editor’s note). He arrived and acted like an academician. Well done, he made a very powerful presentation. He talked about economy, finance, taxation, tax administration, effectiveness of the taxation system. I will tell you later, we came to a certain joint conclusion. We agreed that after we study these matters, we will meet with you today and discuss them once again,” Lukashenko said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> In his words, in the summer of 2021 we will hold a Forum of Belarus and Russia’s regions in Moscow Oblast. “Then we will decide on a meeting of the Supreme State Council in autumn, where we will be able to formalize all our agreements by signing certain documents,” Lukashenko said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> On his part, Putin said that a wide range of issues is to be discussed: fundamental things that relate to bilateral relations and cooperation in multilateral formats. “But first of all, despite all the acute issues we are going to discuss today, I would like to point out that our relations are developing, they are developing successfully. Despite the pandemic and a certain decline in trade, the total volume of trade is still very significant, almost $30 billion today. I am sure that we will restore the same amount of trade as before,” he said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Putin said that the parties continue working to improve the regulatory framework for the Union State, but, at the same time, there are still some issues to agree on, to harmonize positions. “The work as a whole is going well in all directions, our teams are working quite effectively. I mean both the governmental team and the administration team and, as we can see now, the special services team,” he said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Also, he said, Belarus and Russia are deepening cooperation in the areas of military and technical cooperation and security “in the broadest sense of the word”. </p> <p>   </p> <p> As previously reported, the governments of Belarus and Russia initialed a Union State integration program in September 2019 and approved 31 roadmaps in various areas. Draft roadmaps were expected to be coordinated by November 2020, and Lukashenko and Putin were supposed to approve the entire package of integration documents on December 8, 2019 during the events timed to the 20th anniversary of the Belarus-Russia Union Treaty of December 8, 1999. The signing of the package did not take place. Belarus said that the parties failed to reach accompanying agreements on Russian energy prices, compensation for Belarus’ losses resulted from the tax manoeuvre in the Russian oil industry, and removal of barriers to Belarusian commodities in the Russian market. Lukashenko said he would not endorse the roadmaps unless the above fundamental issues are finally resolved. End </p>

2021-04-23

Primepress