Legislative support for Belarus-Russia integration discussed in Moscow

Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Dmitry Krutoi met with First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Ivan Melnikov in Moscow on 15 September, BelTA learned from the press service of the diplomatic mission.

"The parties exchanged views on the prospects for the development of Belarusian-Russian relations and integration within the framework of the Union State," the press service noted. “We discussed the schedule of upcoming bilateral contacts between the parliaments and with foreign partners. We particularly focused on the role of the parliaments of the two countries in legislative support for the implementation of the integration agreements approved by the Supreme State Council of the Union State on 4 November 2021.”

In order to implement the guidelines to the Union State Treaty for 2021-2023 and 28 Union State programs, more than 400 legislative acts and bilateral agreements will need to be adopted. "In this context, we highly appreciate the ratification by the State Duma of the agreement between Belarus and Russia on the harmonization of customs legislation and cooperation in customs affairs and the approval by the Russian government of the agreement on the general principles of taxation on indirect taxes," the press service emphasized.

"Dmitry Krutoi and Ivan Melnikov, when considering the budget process in the Union State, agreed on the need to intensify work to increase the number of programs, projects and activities of the Union State, and to promote the effective use of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia and the Standing Committee of the Union State for the development and strengthening of Belarusian-Russian cooperation in all areas of interaction," the diplomatic mission added.