Opinions & Interviews

Belarus seeks constructive cooperation with Russia on equal footing

MINSK, 19 December (BelTA) – Belarus is determined to promote constructive cooperation with Russia on an equal footing, Chair of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly Natalya Kochanova said at the final sitting of the first session of the Council of the Republic of the seventh convocation, BelTA has learned.

The Union State Treaty will mark its 20th anniversary this year. “Belarus wants to maintain a meaningful dialogue with Russia based on an equal footing. This point has been reiterated by Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko on numerous occasions,” Natalya Kochanova said.

She recalled the forthcoming talks between the presidents of Belarus and Russia. “The position of the Belarusian side remains unchanged: the efforts to deepen integration should take into account national interests and follow the principles laid out in the Treaty. The most important thing is a level playing field for economic operators, the equal market access without exceptions and restrictions,” the speaker noted.

“Belarus’ presidency in the Eurasian Economic Union agencies in 2020 will seek to ensure four main freedoms of the Union: the freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and workforce,” she added.

Natalya Kochanova called the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia a key international event. The forum is held by the Council of the Republic of Belarus and the Federation Council of Russia. Belarus will host the next forum. “It should be conducted up to par. We have already talked with Valentina Matviyenko [Speaker of the Federation Council]. We are preparing a letter suggesting the agenda and the date of the forum. It is likely to be held in autumn. It is under consideration now,” the chair of the upper chamber of the Belarusian parliament said.

Speaking about international cooperation, Natalya Kochanova pointed to a great number of inter-parliamentary contacts forged by the Council of the Republic. “We should not let these contacts wane or get disrupted. Out international parliamentary meetings should bear fruit. They should be used to boost trade with foreign countries, increase Belarusian export and implement new investment projects,” the speaker said. According to her, a special focus should be placed on cooperation with partners in the Union State, the Eurasian Economic Union and the CIS.

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