MOSCOW, 13 March (BelTA) – Following official talks in Moscow, Presidents of Belarus and Russia Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin signed a protocol amending the bilateral agreement on equal rights of citizens of 25 December 1998, BelTA has learned.
The protocol provides for the possibility, on a reciprocal basis, for Belarusian and Russian citizens permanently residing in the territory of the other state to participate in local elections - to vote and be elected to local self-government bodies.
This document is the result of consistent efforts of Belarus to ensure equal rights for Belarusian and Russian citizens, including electoral rights, since until now Belarusian citizens permanently residing in Russia could not take part in Russia's local elections.
The heads of state also signed a bilateral agreement on mutual protection of citizens from unwarranted persecution by foreign states and international justice bodies.
The international agreement aims to protect citizens, including current or former officials, from unwarranted prosecution by third parties, given the current trend towards politicization of international judiciaries and other international criminal justice mechanisms.
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