The integration of Belarus and Russia within the framework of the Union State has no analogues, it directly positively affects the lives of citizens of the two countries.
Turning to the history of the treaty on the creation of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, it is important to remember that its conclusion is the result of the embodiment of the will of the peoples of both countries. This is the main difference between our integration project: it is based not on formally documented ideas and constructs, but on the natural spiritual, cultural, mental and historical proximity of two sovereign states and peoples, as well as mutual practice-oriented economic interest.
Such a powerful foundation best preserves the relevance and stability of the Belarusian-Russian integration in general, and the Union treaty in particular. The Presidents of the two countries have repeatedly publicly brought an agreed holistic approach to the implementation of the treaty on the Union State, where the central vector of efforts is the economic sphere. Both leaders perfectly understand and agree that the most important thing depends on the economic well–being, stability and confident development of the citizens of Belarus and Russia, security, comfort and attractiveness of life in the Union State - the public demand from the Belarusian and Russian peoples to continue the implementation of the treaty.
The republic also understands that when implementing the provisions of the Union Treaty, it is important to maintain consistency. As our President says, a house is built from the foundation, not from the roof.
At the same time, on the political track, Minsk and Moscow today have a full set of interparliamentary and intergovernmental structures to solve the tasks set, fulfill agreements and implement integration. One of the most important is the Supreme State Council, whose meeting is to be held on December 6 in Minsk. It is important that the existing structures of the Union State have repeatedly proved their effectiveness, viability and compliance with the level of integration interaction in various situations. The reform, transformation or creation of new bodies, as defined by Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, will be made only in accordance with the real need after boosting and developing the economic basis of the Union State based on equality, exceptional competence, consistency and mutual respect.
For 25 years, the two countries have been gradually building a single economic and social space of the Union State based on the principles of unconditional preservation of state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and responsible fulfillment by the parties of their international obligations.
Belarus and Russia are effectively developing cooperation in energy, transport, industrial cooperation, including import substitution, and many other industries. All these areas have a direct impact on the lives of ordinary citizens. Light and heat in homes, fuel in cars, convenient and regular transport routes, a wide range of high-quality food and industrial goods are just a few examples.
Some features of the integration of the Union State have no analogues. The union budget and union ownership (of infrastructure facilities, intellectual products) are not yet typical of other integration structures. The budget of the Union State finances union programs in various fields: space, information technology, microelectronics, agriculture, border security, overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, etc.
The two countries have also created a single defense space that reliably protects the border of the Union State. In the last few years, our countries have taken a number of significant, breakthrough steps towards the implementation of the treaty, expressed in 28 union programs. They determined the priorities of economic integration in the Union State and the implementation of the provisions of the treaty: the convergence of the legislation of both countries in industry, agriculture, transport, communications, tax and customs policy, social and cultural spheres. Thanks to this work, equal rights of citizens of the two countries are being ensured today, and a unified system of social guarantees has been created. Belarusian and Russian citizens have almost identical opportunities for employment, choice of place of residence, education, medical care and social security. When crossing the Belarusian-Russian border, Belarusians and Russians do not need to pass border control, customs inspection, receive and fill in a migration card.
Over the 25 years of union construction, an impressive amount of work has been done, many successful projects have been implemented, but the potential for cooperation between Belarus and Russia in many areas, primarily the economy, still remains enormous.
The realization of this potential, as well as the future of the Union State, is seen as inextricably linked with global multipolarity, a powerful impetus for the formation of which has been given in recent years. By developing our countries, individually and jointly maintaining order, stability and economic growth in them, creating conditions for the realization of human thought and inspiration, we will be able to turn the Union State of Belarus and Russia into one of the major "poles" in the new world order. People’s well-being and livability of the two countries from the capitals to remote regions, the development of industry and technology, modern infrastructure will make the Union State truly resistant to any geopolitical challenges and threats, attractive to millions of ordinary people and other integration associations around the world, an example of success and a model.