A. Antonenko: Disputes arising between Belarus and Russia are also the elements of Union State formation

Economic disputes arising between Russia and Belarus are an integral part of the two countries’ integration, stated Alexander Antonenko talking to journalists in Minsk.

Economic disputes arising between Russia and Belarus are an integral part of the two countries’ integration, stated Alexander Antonenko talking to journalists in Minsk.

“I must say that those problems that arise from time to time are a constituent part of the Union State formation,” said vice-chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Budget and Finance Alexander Antonenko summing up 37^th session of the Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk.

“There is such a notion as “case law”, when each party tries to defend its interests, thereby laying the foundations of legal regulation for the future,” emphasized A. Antonenko. “In my opinion, all this lays the groundwork for our relationship in the future”.

According to the parliamentarian, transition of economic relations to the level of the Heads of States is by no means an exceptional case. “Both the President of France and the British Prime Minister are involved in negotiations when it comes to certain, particularly important contracts in sectors such as aircraft building or nuclear power engineering,” gave examples A.Antonenko.

At the same time, A. Antonenko pointed to inexpediency of transferring such conflicts to the top level. “Ministries and agencies responsible for these issues must pursue them at their own level, which means they should scrutinize the documents even more thoroughly when negotiating contracts,” he said. “Perhaps then there will be fewer problems”.

Considering the situation, the deputy noted that the gas conflict with Russia would undoubtedly affect the prices on the products of those Belarusian enterprises that consume a lot of energy resources.

In conclusion, A. Antonenko said that he, as a citizen of Belarus, wished “those rights of companies, organizations, citizens which are real in the Russian Federation, would apply to us, Russia’s ally, as well”.