MINSK, 15 March (BelTA) - Belarus is set to preserve and expand close parliamentary ties with friendly countries in the post-Soviet space, Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova said at the opening of the eighth session of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the seventh convocation in Minsk on 15 March, BelTA has learned.
"In the current conditions, we must concentrate our efforts on further rapprochement with the Russian Federation in the economy, military and security, and humanitarian areas. Building up cooperation with our strategic ally is a priority on the bilateral track of inter-parliamentary cooperation," Natalya Kochanova said.
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According to her, during the session period work will be continued in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. "Taking into account the adoption of 28 Union State programs, with a view to increasing the efficiency of its work, the Parliamentary Assembly is changing its structure. Among the most important tasks is the development of model laws that will contribute to the harmonization of national legislations," she said.
“The Council of the Republic has significantly expanded its parliamentary contacts with the Federation Council recently. There are visits, meetings and consultations that are not limited to the lawmaking activity. Serious work is underway to prepare for the 9th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia. The parties have set up an organizing committee, outlined the dates, topics and venues,” Natalya Kochanova said.
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Another initiative of the Council of the Republic and the Federation Council is the implementation of a joint military-patriotic project Train of Memory. The project aims to take schoolchildren from the two countries on tour of the cities of military glory, meet with war veterans and establish friendly relations. The project will run from 22 June to 3 July. “This is especially important in the Year of Historical Memory. There are plans to make the Train of Memory project an annual event,” Natalya Kochanova stressed.
“Relations between Belarus and Russia should become a benchmark for interaction with the states within the integration associations of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Eurasian Economic Union. We are aimed at preserving and expanding the existing close parliamentary ties with the friendly countries in the post-Soviet space,” the chairperson of the Council of the Republic said.
