Presidents of Belarus, Russia urge to deepen Belarusian-Russian integration
The priority areas of Belarusian-Russian relations are gradual enlargement and deepening of all-round Russian-Belarusian integration, strengthening of the collective security, building up the interaction in humanitarian area and improving living standards of citizens of Belarus and Russia, reads the joint declaration which was signed by the Presidents of Belarus and Russia after the talks in Brest.
Alexander Lukashenko and Dmitry Medvedev expressed the satisfaction with the gradual development of relations between the two countries and confirmed the adherence to the Union State Treaty of December 8, 1999.
The sides stressed there is a need to intensify the efforts to develop trade and economic cooperation based on the principles of market economy, equal rights, mutual benefits and respect of the interests of each other.
The declaration says that Russia and Belarus will encourage the activity of Russian and Belarusian investors on the territory of each other, promote the creation of highly effective joint productions, expand industrial cooperation including within the framework of the Union State programmes.
The sides noted the importance to unify the legislations of the two countries in economic and other areas. The intensive work will be continued to form the Customs Union, to conduct single tariff and non-tariff policy, eliminate barriers in bilateral trade.
The priorities also include the development of interregional links, creation and improvement of an effective system of transport transit, strengthening of interaction in nuclear energy, efficient use of the Union State property.
The Presidents wish to see the vigorous efforts to be continued to ensure equal rights of citizens of Russia and Belarus, to implement the Union State social development concept, to form the agreed approaches to the cooperation in education, healthcare, science, sport, tourism, culture, youth policy, mass media.