Belarusian-Russian Relations: Dynamics Is Positive. No Sensations.

For the past year Russian embassy has more than once been a source of startling news. For a year the governments of the two countries have been trying to resume relations in all-important energy sector. Spatter from these negotiations in the form of sharp and often unfriendly attacks have been appearing in newspapers and on TV. In the period of adaptation to new economic conditions Russian embassy in Belarus has been frequently supplying nothing but fudge.

For the past year Russian embassy has more than once been a source of startling news. For a year the governments of the two countries have been trying to resume relations in all-important energy sector. Spatter from these negotiations in the form of sharp and often unfriendly attacks have been appearing in newspapers and on TV. In the period of adaptation to new economic conditions Russian embassy in Belarus has been frequently supplying nothing but fudge.

We have to confess that many having heard about Alexander Surikov’s wish to talk to journalists came to the meeting in expectation of big statements. But to their great disappointment the Ambassador of Russia did not create a sensation. Alexander Alexandrovich in a businesslike, calm tone was talking about trivial and boring things. For the past year Belarus and Russia have settled the majority of points at issue. Russia has allowed a government credit to Belarus in order to minimize negative consequences caused by alterations of terms of gas and oil supply to the country. Mutual turnover have kept on growing at a rapid pace: not because the resources imported by Belarus have risen in price but because the countries have been physically intensifying product exchange. Gas price for Belarus is estimated according to the transparent formula, and even if it is to rise in the second half of the year, it will increase not more than by 10%.

Soon the President of Russia will sign the Agreement on the Procedure of Delivery of Health Care to the Citizens of Belarus and Russia which has been already ratified by State Duma. Before long one can expect progress re legislative execution of the Union State property. Military and technical cooperation is being developed. There are some minor problems, of course. For instance, the agreement on the united anti-aircraft defence system has not been signed yet, but the issue has been settled in the main. The same with the Constitutional Act: de facto Union authorities (parliament, government, Supreme State Council) are working. The only thing left to be done is to formalize and consolidate the volume of powers which will be passed on to the supranational level. That is what the working group is busy with. It seems almost certain that the new Russian President will continue following the policy of economic and political integration of our countries.

So, it is not exaggeration to say that the epoch of arguments in Belarusian-Russian relations has given place to the period of mutual understanding. And in practice, the fewer scandals there are, the more work is done for the benefit of the two countries and their peoples.