MOSCOW, 9 September (BelTA) - Work on the integration of Belarus and Russia is not a current political trend but a long-standing effort lasting for many years, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the talks with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Moscow, BelTA has learned.
"Apparently, the experts really reached agreements in some key areas. We need to compare notes, close the chapter on some issues and give an opportunity to the governments to finalize some of these agreements in the very near future," Vladimir Putin said.
The Russian head of state stressed that the parties have done a lot of work. Particular attention was paid to the development of cooperation in economy and finance, in industrial policy, which, according to the Russian president, is extremely important especially today, when the whole world is trying to overcome the consequences of the pandemic. "The global GDP declined by more than 3%; trade fell even more. This also encourages us to intensify our efforts to raise the competitiveness of our economies and to use to the maximum the advantages of the Union State," the Russian leader stressed.
The heads of state are set to review 28 Union State programs prepared by the governments of the two countries, and also consider other issues on the bilateral and international agenda. One of the topics will be the situation in Afghanistan, especially in view with the upcoming summits of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Dushanbe in mid-September.
As BelTA reported earlier, the parties have reached a consensus on all the 28 Union State programs at the governmental level and are on the home stretch. The presidents will give their verdict to the work done as to whether the programs are ready for signing in the form and structure they have been submitted. The main emphasis is on the sustainability of the economic development of the two states.
The presidents are expected to sign the programs at a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State due in October - November. If Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin reach a final agreement at the talks on 9 September, then the appropriate documents in purview of the governments can be signed the next day as Minsk hosts a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers on 10 September.
