Opinions & Interviews

Opinion: Protectionism does not allow for equal conditions for companies of Belarus, Russia

MINSK, 17 June (BelTA) - Protectionism does not allow for creating equal conditions for economic entities of Belarus and Russia, Chairman of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko said as he addressed the opening session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Belarus-Russia Union State in Minsk on 17 June, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Andreichenko said that as the Belarusian-Russian integration matures, people want to see more of it. “With the policy of national protectionism in place, we cannot effectively move forward creating equal conditions for economic entities, overcoming barriers in mutual trade and pursuing a coordinated policy in manufacturing and agriculture,” he said.

Restrictions in supplies of agricultural products and foodstuffs remain in place. The implementation of the single transport policy is making little headway. So is the establishment of the common fuel and energy market,” he underlined.

The speaker recalled that the two heads of state instructed the governments to find common ground on all sensitive matters and submit appropriate proposals by 21 June. Vladimir Andreichenko is convinced that the Union State MPs should not shy away from this process. After all, one of the major tasks of the Parliamentary Assembly is to reconcile positions on the sensitive issues of the Union State construction.

Everything is in place to do it. One of the ways is holding parliamentary hearings and a ‘government hour’, Vladimir Andreichenko said. “We need to keep using these instruments to push for unfailing compliance with the principle of equal rights of citizens and economic entities. “This is the only way to make the most of the Union State. We could discuss equal access of Belarusian and Russian product suppliers to public procurement programs, the issue of subsidies for jointly produced machinery, and implementation of import-substitution programs,” the speaker said.

The Union State MPs are set to review the priorities for further development of the Union State for 2018-2022. The MPs were updated on the measures to enhance efficiency of trade and economic cooperation between Belarus and Russia, the activity to boost the agro-industrial sector of the Belarus-Russia Union State. The participants of the meeting took stock of the progress made in the implementation of the resolution of the Supreme State Council of the Union State “On canceling roaming charges in the Union State” (of 30 June 2017) and reviewed the activity of the Youth Chamber of the Parliamentary Assembly.

Apart from MPs of the Parliamentary Assembly the session is attended by representatives of the Union State Standing Committee, ministries and agencies of Belarus and Russia, permanent observers at the Parliamentary Assembly, members of the Youth Chamber of the Parliamentary Assembly.

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