Events

BREST, 21 June (BelTA) - The parliaments of Russia and Belarus intend to ratify the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) Treaty simultaneously, Chairman of the State Duma Sergei Naryshkin, Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly, announced after the 46th session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Belarus and Russia in Brest on 21 June, BelTA has learned.

"The document should be approved by the parliaments of the two countries. Today it is being considered by the ministries. We intend to ratify this really important and historic document at the autumn session simultaneously, including together with our Kazakhstan friends,” said Sergei Naryshkin. He noted that the Eurasian Economic Union will help deepen the integration of the three states.

Speaking of the Belarus-Russia Union State project, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko said that the Union State is the most advanced integration project in the post-Soviet space. "Look how much has been done and achieved. Most importantly, this is appreciated by our people. Today we travel from one country to the other without border and customs controls. We can choose a place of residence in Russia or Belarus, get employment. We have the same conditions for healthcare and education. This is worth a lot,” said Vladimir Andreichenko.

During the meeting as part of the 46th session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State the MPs discussed the preparations of the two countries for the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders and the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. “It is no secret that some countries are attempting to revise the results of World War II, to rewrite the history. It can be said that certain forces are trying to take the victory away from us. We cannot allow this to happen. Our sacred duty is to protect those achievements,” said the Speaker of the Belarusian Parliament.

The Union State has planned many events to commemorate the two important historical dates, according to Sergei Naryshkin. Part of them has already been implemented. Much remains to be done. These include all sorts of projects: exhibitions, conferences, festivals, artistic and cultural presentations. However, the key thing is to create a comfortable living environment for veterans of the Great Patriotic War, to keep them healthy. During the two previous years the medical institutions of the two countries have arranged screening and treatment of 6,500 Belarusian and Russian veterans. Much also needs to be done to perpetuate the memory of the dead during the war, Sergei Naryshkin noted.

At the meeting in Brest the Belarusian and Russian MPs also reviewed the results of the work in 2013 and other organizational matters.

In the night on 22 June the Union State MPs attended commemorative events to honor the Nationwide Remembrance Day for the victims of the Great Patriotic War at the Brest Fortress Hero Fortress.