MINSK, 10 November (BelTA) – The economies of Belarus and Russia should not compete, but complement each other, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at a joint press conference following the annual meeting of the Russian-Belarusian ministerial collegium in Moscow on 10 November, BelTA has learned.
"Our economies should not compete, but on the contrary, should complement each other. This is the goal of 28 Union State programs," Vladimir Makei said.
The minister recalled that the work on the Union State programs took three years. They are designed to give a new impetus to the Union State building. The main objective of the documents is to raise the level of economic development of both states, to ensure equal conditions for business, to align the macroeconomic policies of the states,” Vladimir Makei emphasized. “These also include the harmonization of customs and tax legislation, coordination of industrial and agricultural policies, and so on."
The social policy is the cornerstone of the integration, Vladimir Makei noted. "The main beneficiary of all these documents are Belarusians and Russians, who, as a result of further integration between our states, will get additional advantages and benefits," he said.