P.Borodin: “Indeed we have a common economy”

On September 26th during his visit to Minsk Pavel Borodin, State Secretary of the Union State, told the journalists about recent trends in Belarusian-Russian trade and economic relations.

On September 26^th during his visit to Minsk Pavel Borodin, State Secretary of the Union State, told the journalists about recent trends in Belarusian-Russian trade and economic relations.

“Union property is one of the most essential conditions for pursuing financial and lending policy”

State Secretary of the Union State Pavel Borodin expressed hope that on October 4^th a new Belarusian parliament will ratify an agreement on the union property.

In this case, he noted, one can expect that by the end of 2008 all the five fundamental agreements – “on capital movement, education, freedom of movement, taxation and union property” – will have been finally ratified. “It will give a powerful incentive to our economy,” believes the State Secretary.

He thinks that “union property is one of the most essential conditions for pursuing financial and lending policy”. “Why do our billionaires transfer their money abroad? – For there one can find an excellent normative-legal basis”. At the same time he expressed hope that the normative-legal basis of the Union State will be approved before long. “There is no doubt that we need a referendum, so to say a transition period Constitution,” he said and added that the independence of Union State member countries will not be infringed – only confederative system is at issue.

Common Currency

“A lot has been done already, and I believe that it is a purely political question,” said P.Borodin.

The State Secretary added that the “gas problem” has in no way discredited the idea of the Union State formation. “If we want to join the WTO, then one should understand: they (the West) buy gas at $500, we – at $39; their salary makes up ?3000 while ours – $400. But at present we (the Russian Federation) buy more cars than the whole Europe – everything is in shadow. Thus, common means of payment will help all our relations – Belarusian-Russian, merely Russian and international ones – out of the shadow,” explained P.Borodin.

Belarusian-Russian Turnover Continues to Grow

In 2008 increase in turnover between Belarus and Russia has amounted to 60%. The turnover between Russia and one and a half billion China makes up 34 billion, between Russia and nine million Belarus – 26 billion and this year it will amount to 32-33 billion,” added P.Borodin.

“Actually, the reason we exist is to create jobs for the Union State citizens,” he noted.

As regards the projects within the framework of the Union State, at present the construction of an aircraft repair and overhaul plant in cooperation with “Vnukovo” airport is being carefully considered.

Council of Minister to Examine 21 Issues

21 issues will be considered at the Union State Council of Ministers which is to be held in Minsk on October 6^th. According to the State Secretary of the Union State the attention will be focused on trade and economic cooperation. “Indeed we have a common economy,’ he believes.

According to Pavel Borodin, one wishes the boards of the Ministries of Finance, the Ministries of Industry and the Ministries of Economy worked more efficiently. “We speak the same language but cannot understand each other. Yet, we must come to an agreement: it is the only way to solve any problem,” said P.Borodin.

Information analysis portal www . soyuz . by asked Pavel Borodin if the Union State would pay attention to the Belarusian language so as Belarusians and Russians understand each other even better. Pavel Borodin assured was that it would.