F.Klintsevich: The Union State laid the foundation for post-Soviet unity

Russia ’s accession to the WTO creates new favourable economic conditions not only for the Russian state, but also for its closest allies in various integration associations on the post-Soviet territory. Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense, Deputy Chairman of the Union State Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Information Policy Frants Klintsevich is speculating about the role of parliamentarians in Eurasian integration projects.

Russia ’s accession to the WTO creates new favourable economic conditions not only for the Russian state, but also for its closest allies in various integration associations on the post-Soviet territory. Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense, Deputy Chairman of the Union State Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Information Policy Frants Klintsevich is speculating about the role of parliamentarians in Eurasian integration projects.

- “It is not for nothing that the Union State is often called the foundation of the post-Soviet unity,” believes Frants Klintsevich. “Belarusian-Russian experience has given such a powerful impetus to closer relations that today we can speak about the Eurasian Union with confidence since this idea is becoming more and more tangible and concrete. The desire to reach a common stand on economic strategy, as well as in political, social and humanitarian spheres determines further historical process for the entire post-Soviet area.”

- “A good example can be ensuring of the region’s security.”

- “Here the tone is set by Moscow and Minsk which created an integrated regional air defense system of the two countries. Besides that, there is an agreement on the use of regional troops ensuring military security of Belarus and Russian regions bordering on it, as well as of Kaliningrad region and the Baltic Sea water area. By the way, in order to test fighting efficiency and master joint action skills the two countries regularly hold joint military exercises. Military cooperation is coordinated at joint sessions of Belarusian and Russian military boards.

Cooperation in the area of border protection of the Union State is managed by the Standing Border Committee. At its regular meeting, which took place in Grodno in April, the State Border Committee of Belarus and the Federal Security Service of Russia signed a protocol on cooperation in the exchange of information about the situation and the threats at external borders of the Union State, approved a draft programme aimed at strengthening border security of the Union State in 2012-2016. Implementation of the previous programme designed to equip the external borders with the necessary facilities resulted in two new frontier posts, six border posts and other infrastructure facilities – all this is now ready to defend the interests of the Customs Union.

At the moment, on the post-Soviet area only the Union State can boast a coordinated foreign policy and citizens’ equal rights when choosing their place of residence, employment and education. Belarusian-Russian integration has, among other, a pragmatic economic dimension. The figures are quite convincing: from 1995 to 2011 Belarusian-Russian trade turnover increased 7.5 times. In 2011, bilateral trade reached 38.7 billion dollars, having increased by nearly 40 percent from the year-earlier period. The level of mutual trade, which has increased by another third this year, is rising thanks to new economic conditions of the Customs Union, which absorbed many of the Union State achievements.

A significant role in the development of Belarusian-Russian relations is performed by the parliaments, which ensure a coherent regulatory and legal framework of cooperation between the states and thus create favorable conditions for trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Belarus, social welfare of their citizens. The experience of union development, including parliamentarism, should help the establishment and development of the Eurasian Union.

Russia’s accession to the WTO does not only create new economic conditions, but also imposes its own requirements: in order to secure their rightful place in the world economy, the economies of Customs Union countries should undergo a structural change which consists in liberation from the dependence on raw materials and essentially increased role of high-tech industries. This will promote both Eurasian cooperation and integration of our countries into the global economy, growing export of non-oil merchandise.

Both the Union State and the Customs Union need to find their niches in the international division of labor. Industrial growth must be achieved through the introduction of new technologies and new forms of economic cooperation. And here the experience of implementing union programmes and projects in science and technology becomes extremely useful.

As you know, the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia have set the task to form the Eurasian Economic Union by 2015. The Parliaments of the three countries, which make up the Eurasian Economic Space and future Eurasian Economic Union, will have to make a number of steps so that the Eurasian future would acquire a parliamentary dimension.”

- “Frants Adamovich, among the uniting motives of the Eurasian integration there are not only tangible economic maxims, but also some subtle, intangible issues.”

- “It’s true. Here are a few examples. It has become a tradition to hold, with the assistance of the Parliamentary Assembly deputies, some events involving the younger generation of our countries in the integration process. Patriotism, understanding of our unity and awareness of alliance necessity must be cultivated. In this behalf the Union State pursues a consistent policy.

For instance, under the auspices of the Union State since 2007 we have been organizing recreation programmes at the summer camp “Vita” in Anapa – for the students of Suvorov Military Schools and cadet schools of Belarus and Russia. Over the last five years all in all 938 students, including 314 students from Belarus, have attended the camp.

This year, the amount of financing, assigned for camp activities, has more than doubled – to 15 million rubles. Union parliamentarians have come up with a suggestion to change the format of the session in 2012. The list of participants has considerably grown – up to 400 people. Altogether the students of seven cadet corps and 11 Suvorov Military (Nakhimov Naval) schools will spend their holidays in Anapa. Besides that, the Union State organizes a civil-patriotic cadet session of Union State students “For the Honour of the Motherland” at the Belarusian camp “Zubrionok”, arts and creativity festivals, tourist gatherings, educational sports contests and competitions, etc. Every year, in the early autumn Don land hosts the festival “Youth for the Union State”. The Parliamentary Assembly has already started preparing for the next youth festival in Rostov-on-Don. I think it would be logical to engage the youth of Kazakhstan in these projects as well.”

- “This year Parliamentary Assembly deputies offered Union State teens a new tourist route – they could visit battle places of the 1812-war in Belarus and Russia.”

- Yes, the event has been very successful and received a high appraisal of both participants and organizers. The Parliamentary Assembly believes it is a feather in its cap. From June 29^th to July 6^th Belarusian and Russian Suvorov Military School students and cadets visited the majority of fateful places in Belarus and Russia preserving memories of the glorious victories in the 1812-war. The children visited museums, panoramas and dioramas of the military battles, military and historical memorials of Borodino field, expositions “Borodino – Battle of Giants” and “Borodino during the Great Patriotic War”, saw the reconstruction of the military battles with their own eyes.

I think it was an unforgettable experience which actually shapes youth’s attitude to our common past and deepens the understanding of the need for a common peaceful future.

“Soyuznoe Veche” , 02.08. 2012