Events

MOSCOW, 27 December (BelTA) – Tight and fruitful relations between Belarus and Russia are an example to follow for other countries. Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin made the statement in an interview with BelTA and reporters of mass media of the Union State of Belarus and Russia on 27 December.

The official said: “Very tight and fruitful Minsk-Moscow relations practically across the board are a good example for other countries. Because the Union State is the supreme form of the integration model. It was followed by the Customs Union. It evolved into the Eurasian Economic Union, which is in effect.”

The diplomat noted that opponents, including foreign ones, often point out the fact that Belarus and Russia sometimes argue about prices, tariffs, and other matters. “When people live close to each other and interact in all spheres, it is only natural that they encounter a bunch of matters that need to be addressed,” stressed the Russian deputy minister of foreign affairs.

Grigory Karasin reminded that Belarus-Russia diplomatic relations were established when the relevant protocol was signed on 25 June 1992. “Despite the congeniality, which has always been present in our relations at the political level and the human, interpersonal level, it was a necessary step. It was part of the diplomatic practice, which allowed the two countries to exchange diplomatic missions at the embassy level in a new era,” said the diplomat.

Grigory Karasin remarked that a stable interaction infrastructure has evolved over the course of two decades and a half. He noted that joint sessions of the boards of Belarusian and Russian government agencies played a major part in this evolution.

The fulfillment of the Union State Foundation Treaty of 8 December 1999 has enabled equal rights for Belarusian and Russian citizens in many spheres. The step took humanitarian ties to the next level. It expanded interaction in economic affairs and secured a high level of manufacturing cooperation and cooperation in R&D efforts. “We also have major plans for the future. They were recently discussed during the session of the Union State Council of Ministers in Gomel on 8 December where a conceptual document was approved — priority guidelines and top-priority tasks regarding the further development of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in 2018-2022. Once the document is approved by a regular session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State, we will be ready to get down to its active implementation,” said Grigory Karasin.