MOSCOW, 22 October (BelTA) - The draft budget of the Belarus-Russia Union State for 2022 provides for an increase in social spending by more than one third, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarus-Russia Union State Parliamentary Assembly following the meeting of the PA Commission for Social and Youth Policy, Science, Culture and Humanitarian Affairs in Kaliningrad on 22 October.
The MPs reviewed the Union State budget performance in 2021 and also considered the draft budget for 2022 in the commission-related issues. “The draft budget for 2022 increases the number of social activities. Their funding will increase by 34%. Additional funds will be allocated for the new Union State event “Treatment of citizens with the use of proton therapy”, and also to resume the disability arts festival “Together we can do more”,” the press service said.
Earlier, the MPs, members of the PA Commission on Social and Youth Policy, Science, Culture and Humanitarian Affairs drew attention to the fact that the disability arts festival “Together we can do more”, which was held until 2017, meets the goals of the Union State and has a high social significance. The relevant ministries and agencies were invited to work on the inclusion of the event in the Union State budget for the next years.
The MPs also stated that as of 1 October some events had been cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus restrictive measures.
The meeting was attended by Chairperson of the Parliamentary Assembly Commission on Social and Youth Policy, Science, Culture and Humanitarian Affairs Elena Afanasyeva, Deputy Chairperson Lyudmila Makarina-Kibak, members of the Commission Lyudmila Kananovich and Viktor Liskovich, representatives of the Union State Standing Committee, Healthcare Ministries of Belarus and Russia, Sports and Tourism Ministry of Belarus, Federal Agency for Tourism of Russia, Government of Kaliningrad Oblast, Youth Chamber under the Parliamentary Assembly, and heads of the health-related institutions of the two countries.
On 22 October, the Union State MPs met with the leadership of Kaliningrad Oblast to discuss the development of cooperation between the Russian region and the regions of Belarus, as well as its participation in the programs and activities of the Union State. “Representatives of Kaliningrad Oblast briefed the Union State MPs on the status and prospects of cooperation with Belarus, existing agreements and twinning relations between the cities, and implementation of social projects. The participants of the meeting expressed interest in further exchange of experience and expansion of areas of cooperation, as well as in intensification of joint activities within the Union State programs and activities, development and implementation of youth exchange projects,” the press service said.
