A meeting of the Commission on Legislation and Rules of Procedure of the Parliamentary Assembly was held in Vitebsk
– The issues we considered are not invented in offices, but are submitted to the deputies of the Parliamentary Assembly by Russians and Belarusians. They are indeed relevant and concern the provision of equal rights to citizens of the two countries in healthcare, education, and employment throughout the territory of the Union State, – noted the chairman of the commission, a member of the Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Artem Turov.
One of the issues that concerns many is the possibility of obtaining a unified compulsory insurance policy for civil liability of vehicle owners, which would allow travel throughout the territory of the Union State. The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Belarus, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, the Russian Association of Motor Insurers, the Belarusian Bureau of Transport Insurance, as well as insurance companies were involved in the discussion of this topic via video conferencing. During the discussion, significant differences in the legislation regulating civil liability insurance in Belarus and Russia were noted. They concern the amounts of insurance premiums, liability limits, insurance terms, calculation methods, and determination of loss amounts.
Despite the existing difficulties, parliamentarians are convinced that the procedure for compulsory insurance of civil liability of vehicle owners in Belarus and Russia requires improvement. Ensuring equal rights for citizens and uniform favorable conditions for travel within the territory of the Union State will contribute to the further deepening of the integration of our countries.
At the first stage, it would be possible to reduce the minimum term of an insurance policy in Belarus to 5 days, and consequently, its cost. And in the future, to develop a corresponding model law or conclude an international treaty and unify the legislation of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation on compulsory insurance.
An opinion was expressed on developing a "roadmap" for resolving insurance issues in the Union State. In addition, this issue will be proposed for consideration at the next session of the Parliamentary Assembly.
Residents, especially in border areas, are concerned about when the Belarusian-Russian border will be opened for free movement by car.
– Mass vaccination has begun in Russia, and Belarus has started producing the Russian vaccine. This will allow for the development of herd immunity. Therefore, we hope that the borders will be opened in the near future. This is a request from our citizens. Air travel has already been established, and rail service between Minsk and Moscow has been launched. Discussions are underway to restore previous routes. I think that in a month or two, all restrictions will be lifted, – emphasized Artem Turov.
The participants of the meeting discussed migration issues, in particular, the procedure for obtaining a residence permit and a permanent residence permit. Ensuring equal rights for citizens of the two countries, including in migration matters, is a unique achievement of the Union State and a testament to the depth of integration. Citizens of Belarus can feel at home in Russia, and citizens of Russia can feel at home in Belarus. The Union State does not require visas, filling out migration forms, and does not carry out customs and border control. Procedures for temporary stay, temporary and permanent residence, obtaining citizenship, and employment are largely simplified and unified. Issues of taxation, social and pension security, and medical care are fully regulated. Last year alone, more than 14.3 thousand of our compatriots received residence permits in Russia, and 4 thousand Russians moved to Belarus.
At the same time, the meeting participants expressed their readiness to continue working on simplifying migration procedures in the Union State.
The agenda also included the issue of simplifying the employment procedure. To ensure equal employment conditions for citizens of Belarus and Russia, the deputies decided to recommend that the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation create the possibility of receiving the relevant notification in electronic form through the public services portal.
The commission's work was attended by the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, Vladimir Terentyev, who noted the relevance of the topics raised. It is no coincidence that their discussion is taking place in the Vitebsk region, which borders Russia and has a long common history with it.
– We are always ready to provide a platform for discussing important issues that concern people living next door and in the same Union State, – emphasized the head of the region's parliamentary corps and invited the parliamentarians to visit Vitebsk in the summer for the "Slavianski Bazaar".