Minister: Russia, Belarus 90% close on integration issues

MOSCOW, Jun 17 (PRIME) -- Russia and Belarus’ approach to integration of the two countries are 90% close, discussions will continue at a meeting of the prime ministers of the two countries on June 21, Economic Development Minister Maxim Oreshkin told reporters on June 15.

“If you remember, when Belarusian prime minister visited us three weeks ago, he mentioned a figure of 70% in his opening statement prior to a discussion with (Russian Prime Minister) Dmitry Anatolyevich (Medvedev). I think that we can now say that we have coordinated 90% of the document,” he said.

The two countries are still to work out many issues, but the June 21 Minsk meeting between Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Rumas and Medvedev should be another big step forward. All negotiations are going on in accordance with a 1999 treaty on creation of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, and the negotiations are constructive and positive, he said.

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