About Union State

History of Union State Establishment and Development

After the collapse of the USSR, the CIS was created in 1992. The latter greatly favoured strengthening of bilateral relations between Russia and Belarus.

In accordance with the Treaty Establishing Community of Belarus and Russia, it was decided to create a politically and economically integrated union in order to maximize material and intellectual potential of the two states.

The Treaty Establishing Community of Belarus and Russia provided for the establishment of a representative body.

On April 29th, 1996, in the city of St. Petersburg, the leaders of the two countries’ parliaments signed an agreement on the Parliamentary Assembly.

On April 2nd, 1997, in Moscow, the Presidents of Belarus and Russia signed the Treaty Establishing the Union of Belarus and Russia. Since then, April 2nd is celebrated as the Day of Unity of the Peoples of Belarus and Russia.

On May 23rd, 1997, the Charter of the Union of Belarus and Russia was signed.

In accordance with the Charter of the Union of Belarus and Russia, the Supreme Council and the Executive Committee of the Union of Belarus and Russia were formed in 1997.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Community was reorganized into the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia.

1997-1998 saw the establishment of the Union executive bodies and general budget setting. During this time period first Union programmes were developed and implemented. Along with that, the Border and Customs Committees as well as the Security Committee have been formed.

The Agreement on a joint Broadcasting Organization of the Union of Belarus and Russia was signed in January 1998.

On December 25th, 1998, the Presidents signed the Declaration on Greater Unity of Belarus and Russia, the Treaty on Equal Rights of Citizens, as well as the Agreement on Creating Equal Conditions for Business Entities.

On December 8th, 1999, the Treaty Establishing the Union State was signed in Moscow, along with the Action Programme of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation aimed to implement the provisions of the Treaty Establishing the Union State.

On January 26th, 2000, after the Treaty had been ratified by the parliaments of the two countries, it entered into force.