OREANDA-NEWS. December 10, 2009. The Union State Foundation Treaty is a major landmark in the modern history of Belarusian-Russian relations, said Alexander Lukashenko, Chairman of the Supreme State Council of the Union State, President of Belarus, as he opened a session of the Supreme State Council in Moscow on 10 December.

The President underlined that the Union State Treaty is the foundation for strategic partnership of the two countries.

Ten years of joint efforts to fulfill articles of the Treaty, vigorous operation of Union State bodies have allowed substantially expanding cooperation in the economic sphere, preserving the industry as well as the scientific and technical potential, said Alexander Lukashenko. Trade and economic ties as well as regional cooperation are fruitful and are developed. Union programs are implemented effectively.

The President underlined that within the framework of the Union State Belarus and Russia cooperate tightly to enhance the defensive capability and security, coordinate actions in the international arena.

The Belarusian head of state underlined that virtually all matters had been addressed to secure equal rights of the Belarusians in Russia and the Russians in Belarus. “You must agree that the terms citizens of Belarus and Russia enjoy are rare,” said Alexander Lukashenko.