Russian senators suggest establishing Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia

MOSCOW, 6 June (BelTA) – Russian senators have suggested establishing the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia to step up business contacts, the press service of the upper house of the Russian parliament told BelTA following the official visit of the Federation Council delegation led by Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matviyenko to Belarus. The visit again confirmed the determination of Minsk and Moscow to deepen integration and helped identify new cooperation areas, the press service informed. Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Ilias Umakhanov informed that in the near future the committees of the upper houses of the two parliaments will prepare a specific action plan focusing on cross-border contacts, legal framework for economic cooperation and integration processes. Ilias Umakhanov reminded that President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko suggested that Valentina Matviyenko take charge of interregional contacts between the two states. “We have a lot of work to do to provide the legal support to these efforts and to expand inter-regional cooperation,” the Russian senator said. Member of the Defense and Security Committee of the Federation Council Nikolai Frolov initiated creating a dialogue platform – the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia. He believes that this will help boost parliamentary ties, forge direct links between the local authorities, cities and town councils of Belarus and Russia. Member of the International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council Dmitry Krivitsky suggested considering the formation of the Business Council of Belarus and Russia supervised by the Chairperson of the Federation Council. “By uniting MPs, businessmen and experts, we would be able to better protect the interests of regions and businesses during integration processes,” the senator believes.

БЕЛТА