A. Lukashenko: The development of deep integration in the Union State is hindered by the absence of a common Constitution

March 18, Minsk / Vladimir Matveev - BELTA /. The development of deep integration in the Union State is hampered by the absence of a common Constitution. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko today at a meeting with heads of several Russian media outlets, a BELTA correspondent reports. "What we have achieved within the framework of the Customs Union is much lower than what we have within the framework of the Union of Belarus and Russia," the head of state noted. In particular, he cited the example that citizens' rights are equalized in the Union State, which is not yet the case within the Customs Union. "Unfortunately, there were and are exaggerated expectations in society, some imagine (the Union State. - Ed. BELTA) as some kind of Soviet Union, a unitary state," the Belarusian leader remarked. As for why there are not yet the results in areas such as the economy and finance that were declared at the beginning of union integration, the President of Belarus said: "We have not held a referendum. We do not have the basis for building the Union State." According to him, the simultaneous holding of a referendum in both countries to adopt the Constitution of the Union State was envisaged by the signed treaty. "We did not hold this referendum, and today there is no basis, no legal foundation on which we could build this state. There was a single currency, everything was prescribed, and the peoples were supposed to adopt these documents, and we were supposed to move in this direction. We did not do this," said Alexander Lukashenko, noting that "you cannot build a house from the roof." In addition, when, for example, the creation of a single currency was discussed, the Belarusian side was offered the Russian ruble with an emission center in Moscow as such, which could not satisfy the Belarusian side. Also, in the treaty on the creation of the Union State, Alexander Lukashenko continued, the powers that would be transferred to the jurisdiction of supranational bodies were prescribed. "The leadership of Russia considered these powers to be too great," the President of Belarus noted. Also, according to the President, Russia withdrew from some treaties and agreements, including those on equal conditions for the activities of economic entities. And during the crisis period, unfavorable conditions and artificial barriers were often created for the promotion of Belarusian goods in the Russian market. At the same time, he noted that there are significant achievements in union integration in certain areas, including in education, healthcare, ensuring equal rights of citizens, etc. Answering the question about how the Union State will develop further, Alexander Lukashenko said: "If it depended only on me, I would tell you exactly how we will build the Union State. It does not depend only and not so much on me." Secondly, the Belarusian leader noted that in the conditions of the practically beginning election period in Russia, "it is unlikely that any radical decisions will be made." "Although it (the issue of the development of Belarusian-Russian relations. - Ed. BELTA) is probably relevant and popular in Russia, and for any politician it would be important, even a presidential candidate," noted Alexander Lukashenko. "Everything will depend on you (Russia. - Ed. BELTA). There is only one principle: we would like to be respected, valued, and considered the same state (not in terms of GDP, foreign exchange reserves, as some try), based on the principles of statehood, as Russia." -0-