Republic

Minsk to host session of Union State Council of Ministers October 19

Minsk will host a session of the Union State Council of Ministers on October 19, Deputy State Secretary of the Belarus-Russia Union State Sergei Shukhno told BelTA. According to him, the agenda of the session has not changed, it includes 17 items. The key issue is the Union State budget for the next year. A report on budget implementation in 2007 has been prepared. The session will also focus on the results of the trade-economic cooperation between Belarus and Russia in January-June this year. The parties will also consider the course of implementation of the intergovernmental agreement on measures booting the trade-economic cooperation between the two countries. The agreement was signed in March 2007 in Minsk. The Council of Ministers will consider several new programmes, among them is the Kosmos-NT programme on the development of basic elements, technologies and application of orbital and ground means of the multifunctional outer space system. Proposals relating to the Union State programme “War on crime on the territory of the Union State Treaty member states for 2008-2010” will be voiced. The session will take stock of the progress made in implementing an action plan of the foreign policy of Belarus and Russia in 2006-2007. The agenda also includes issues on harmonizing Belarusian and Russian legislations, preparation of an agreement on cooperation in production and supply of medicines. The regulations on the commission for formation and maintenance of the Union State united transport system are expected to be endorsed. The commission is headed by the transport ministers of Belarus and Russia. The Council of Ministers will also discuss joint events in the defence sphere, issues on boosting Union State TV and radio broadcasting, Sergei Shukhno noted. Nominees for the 2007-2008 Union State Prizes will be discussed as well.