MOSCOW, 12 December (BelTA) – Amid the enormous external pressure, the Union State has proved its worth, Igor Sergeyenko, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, First Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly in Moscow on 12 December, BelTA learned.
A lot has been done in the 25 years since the Union State Treaty was signed, Igor Sergeyenko said. “The recent meeting of the Supreme State Council in Minsk and the documents signed by the heads of state have become another step towards strengthening the allied relations, building reliable international legal guarantees for the realization by the peoples of Belarus and Russia of their sovereign right to their own path of development,” he said.
“Despite the enormous external pressure, the Union State has shown its worth, strength, solvency and competitiveness and serves as an example of cooperation built on the principles of trust and friendship of peoples. We cooperate almost in all areas of life - space exploration, development of industry, microelectronics, agriculture, defense and security, citizens' rights, humanitarian ties,” the speaker stated.
He said that the mutual trade between Belarus and Russia has increased by more than 8% this year over last year and, according to preliminary estimates, will amount to $59-60 billion. “The budget [of the Union State], which started with RUB500 million, has reached almost RUB7.5 billion in 25 years,” Igor Sergeyenko pointed out. “The number of programs and projects is also increasing. Today the Union State has implemented more than 90 programs worth RUB60 billion.”
“This is facilitated by the consistent implementation of strategic priorities worked out by the heads of our states and intensive intergovernmental ties and close contacts at the regional level. MPs are making their contribution to the Union State integration. The Parliamentary Assembly has set up commissions almost in all key areas. They carry out in-depth analysis of the results, the problems and most importantly, together with the relevant ministries and the Standing Committee of the Union State, seek and develop ways to solve them,” Igor Sergeyenko emphasized.
