December 8, 1999 is the day of the union state of Russia and Belarus. Then the leaders of the two countries, Lukashenko and Yeltsin, signed a new agreement, which, undoubtedly, dispersed the integration processes.
Union State Day of Russia and Belarus also - April 2, 1996.
Then a historic event took place in the St. George Hall of the Kremlin. The leaders of the two countries signed the very first treaty on the union state of Russia and Belarus.
As many as 20 years have passed since those events. The union still officially exists. However, despite twenty years of cooperation, the two countries have many unresolved problems and mutual complaints. Let's try to figure out what is the union state of Russia and Belarus.
Are these attempts to revive the USSR or an analogue of the EU in the CIS? And also talk about the main problems of integration.
New USSR or not
In one of the speeches, President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin expressed an opinion about the collapse of the Union. It was a big mistake, but trying to revive it would be great stupidity. Be that as it may, but almost all the countries that were part of the USSR had interdependence. Despite national contradictions, the former republics could not economically survive without each other. This is due to the fact that the leadership has held the country together for a long time due to economic zoning. Those. each republic developed its own unique spheres, which were not in other regions.
For example, Belarus - potatoes, dairy production, heavy engineering.
Ukraine is the “granary of the Union”. Cereals, corn, engines for the military-industrial complex.
Russia - nuclear energy, heavy industry, forest, gas.
Baltic states - technological production, etc.
We will not list all the republics. We will only say that the collapse of the USSR “destroyed” almost all industries in them, because they all worked as a whole. Enterprises were not prepared for various barriers to independence. The result - a separate economic zoning in the former republics ceased to exist.
Of course, there have been attempts to integrate using the tools of the CIS, but the Commonwealth is rather a “deliberative” organization that does not solve anything. Of course, there are customs privileges between the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, but still it is no longer a single state with unified borders, currency, laws.
Russia and Belarus decided to avoid a break in economic relations between themselves. Cooperation within the CIS was insufficient. Therefore, the two countries created a union state of Russia and Belarus.
Who is the head in this house
The issue of the political system was long resolved. It was assumed that the union state of Russia and Belarus would be governed by one leader, i.e., by analogy with the presidential republic. At least, so the authorities of the Russian Federation suggested. President Lukashenko, of course, agreed to such a move, but on condition that he be such a leader. Russia did not expect such a turn, and reminded the Belarusian president of the ratio of population and GDP between the two countries. The principle of unity of command has been abolished.
Confederation Political Structure
In accordance with the Treaty establishing the Union, the following shall function:
- Supreme State Council (Chairman Lukashenko).
- Council of Ministers (Chairman Medvedev).
- Standing Committee of the Union State of Russia and Belarus (Chairman Grigory Rapota).
- Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia.
The union state of Russia and Belarus "merged" into the Customs Union or not
Many citizens think that with the creation of the EAEU, and then the Customs Union, the Confederation of the two countries ceased to exist. But actually it is not.
Yes, many processes between the two countries really exist within the framework of the CU, however, a number of interactions occur exclusively under the Confederation Treaty:
- Development of pilot projects and innovations, which are then implemented in the TS.
- Collaboration within the framework of the Treaty of agencies responsible for security - counterintelligence, migration services, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, etc.
- Interaction of interregional cooperation. For example, forums in the regions of Belarus and Russia.
- Within the framework of the Confederation, the time of free stay of citizens in the territory of both states has been increased to 90 days.
- Active interaction takes place in the educational field. Almost 10 thousand Belarusians study in Russia and 2 thousand Russians in the Republic of Belarus.
All these processes would be impossible within the framework of the Customs Union.
The vehicle was created for the free movement of goods within the association. This is the so-called duty free trade zone. All products manufactured in countries belonging to the CU are freely sold within the organization. No additional certificates are provided, duties are not levied.
The union state of Russia and Belarus was created for deeper integration processes. It is not limited to economic cooperation. This is the future project of the united Confederation, i.e. future state. The phased integration project involves the flag of the union state of Russia and Belarus, coat of arms, anthem, currency, and common documents.
USSR returns or not
Considering the design of the flag (red flag with two yellow stars) and the coat of arms (despite the presence of a two-headed eagle looks more like a “Soviet planet” with spikelets), it can be assumed that the two countries want to revive the USSR. At least attribute projects talk about it.
Functions of the Supreme State Council of the Union State
The Supreme State Council of the SG performs the following functions:
- Approves the SG international treaties adopted by the SG Parliament.
- Determines the location of the organs of the SG.
- Approves the symbolism of the SG, the budget of the SG adopted by the Parliament of the SG.
- Listens to the annual report of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the SG on the implementation of decisions.
- Issues decrees within the limits of his authority, etc.
The State Council of the SG includes the heads of the participating countries, or persons authorized to speak on their behalf. If at least one of them votes “against” for any decision, then it will not be adopted. That is, in fact, the Council performs the functions of the president, only consists of a “collegium of heads of state”. Since 2000, the chairman is A. G. Lukashenko. Its functions:
- Conducts international negotiations on behalf of the Supreme State Council of the SG from the SG.
- Addresses annual messages to the SG Parliament.
- Organizes the work of the Supreme State Council of the SG.
- Gives instructions within its competence to the Council of Ministers of the SG.
- On behalf of the Supreme State Council, the SG performs its functions.
Council of Ministers of the Union State
The Council of Ministers (Sov. Min.) Of the SG is the executive body of the Confederation. It includes the heads of government of the participating countries, ministers of foreign affairs, finance, heads of sectoral governing bodies of the SG, the Secretary of State of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. Only the head of the executive power of the participating country is appointed the chairman of the Sov.Min SG. Functions Sov.Mina SG:
- Provides control over the implementation of the provisions of the SG Agreement.
- Develops the main directions of general policy.
- Manages common property.
- Considers the reports of the Accounts Chamber.
- It provides the creation and development of a single economic space, the implementation of a single tax, currency, price, trade policy.
Standing Committee
The Standing Committee is the main working body of the Confederation. Ministers and Heads of State cannot be torn “on two fronts”. In addition, constantly collecting them from different states is a rather problematic situation. For these purposes, there is a Standing Committee of the SG. Its functions:
- Implementation of the provisions of the Agreement on the creation of the SG.
- Development of the development strategy of the SG.
- SG budget preparation.
- Coordination of the work of industry bodies of the SG.
Parliament
The Confederation Parliament consists of an equal number of deputies of the legislative bodies of the participating countries. To date, there are 36 of them. This is not the legislative body of the Confederation. Parliament cannot issue uniform laws for two countries. Of the deputies, only specialized commissions have been formed, which, within the framework of their competencies, interact with various committees and departments of the two countries. There are eight of them:
- according to the Rules;
- on economic policy;
- on foreign policy issues;
- on safety;
- on environmental issues;
- on information policy;
- on the budget;
- on social policy and culture.
A single judicial system should appear, which will coordinate the legal acts of the two states. It is possible that someday unified laws will operate in the territory of the two states, but it is too early to talk about this. Little has been done in 20 years.
The creation of the union state of Belarus, Russia: problems of integration
It would seem that SG exists for 20 years. During this time, it is possible not only to establish cooperation, but also really create a unitary state if desired.
But there are a number of problems that stop many integration processes. These include:
- political aspects;
- economic aspects;
- military aspects.
We will try to understand them.
Select and share
Political problems are associated with bureaucratic barriers to the creation of the SG. This is due to privatization processes within Russia. Almost all enterprises (and even strategic ones) are transferred from the public sector to private hands.
Belarus takes a tough stance on this issue. "Thieves' privatization is unacceptable, we will never follow the Russian model," - says the leader of the "fraternal" republic.
Privatization, according to Lukashenko, is impossible in such cases:
- Unprofitable production, but without which the existence of the economy is impossible. This is the coal industry, transport, post office, etc.
- High-tech and capital-intensive industries that pay off in 10-20 years.
- Defense industry.
For Russia, with its vast territories, in the hands of the state there should be monopolies that unite it. The fragmentation of industries and privatization in private hands can create a danger of conspiracies, branches, etc.
In addition, there is no single currency, unified laws that would strengthen integration.
Integration stumbling block are issues of pricing and taxation, as well as the development of the social sphere. The single union state of Russia and Belarus unifies uniform laws, prices, and domestic policy.
Is the state necessary in the economy
But Belarus is actively advocating the containment of prices and taxes. This is due to a powerful public sector, as well as serious control in the private sector. The government of the "fraternal republic" does not allow rampant oligarchs in the country to set prices "from the ceiling". This creates dangerous precedents for Russian oligarchs and officials, "feeding from the kickbacks." They see in the integration process a threat to their well-being. Therefore, they are trying in different ways to slow down all processes.
Opponents of the SG are also Western and many domestic liberal politicians. They see in these processes a return to the old socialist system. The role of the state in the Belarusian economy is excessive. And all the integration processes will only strengthen it, including this will happen in the Russian economy, which should not be allowed.