PM: Moscow, Minsk slate new Union State preparation stage for Dec 8

GORKI, Moscow Region/MINSK, Nov 20 (PRIME) – A new stage of creating a Russia–Belarus Union State will start on December 8 at a meeting of the Supreme State Council, Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Rumas said late on Tuesday after negotiations with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

“We have indeed advanced on this path and have given additional orders to our state authorities on the outstanding issues. All these decisions are crucial for preparation of a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State where, as the Belarusian side sees it, the start of a new stage of building of the Union State will take place,” Rumas said.

He said that there are two outstanding energy issues for Russia and Belarus. “For instance, whereas there were four outstanding issues in the roadmaps for the gas and oil market that are sensitive for Belarus, only two remain,” Rumas said.

At least 20 integration roadmaps out of 31 were agreed upon, the prime minister said. The government officials will present scenarios of solution of outstanding issues concerning the roadmaps to the presidents of the two states, he said.

“We understand clearly today where the disagreements remain. It took us about a week in order to discuss them again and the documents with the positions of the sides will be submitted for consideration of the heads of the states,” Rumas said.

Medvedev said that the positions of Russia and Belarus were coming closer each day.

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