Union State PA session opens in Moscow

MOSCOW, 18 December (BelTA) – The 43rd session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Belarus-Russia Union State opened in Moscow on 18 December, BelTA has learnt.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly Speaker of the State Duma of Russia Sergei Naryshkin noted in his opening speech that the expiring year was a successful one for the Belarusian-Russian relations both in the bilateral format and within the Union State. “Progress has been made in the economic cooperation: the bilateral trade has exceeded $40 billion this year. The parliamentary cooperation has gained additional momentum,” he said.

According to Sergei Naryshkin, the Belarusian-Russian cooperation has a huge potential, and that its strengthening meets the interests of the two nations.

The 43rd PA session consists of three plenary meetings. One of them is fully dedicated to organizational issues. The 2013 Union State budget will top the agenda of the second and third meetings. “This budget should be the budget meant for development,” Sergei Naryshkin underlined.