Alexander Lukashenko: Russia-Belarus Union State Formation in Progress

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko is convinced the current session of the Russia-Belarus Supreme State Council will take decisions crucial for the union state's development.

Opening Monday the session of the Supreme State Council, Lukashenko stated that "the union state's formation was in full swing." Lukashenko remarked that the Russian and Belarussian leaders managed to both stick to their common cause and preserve mutual trust.

He believes the current open exchange of opinions will make it possible to further develop the constitutional act. "I believe that the next meeting will be already considering the co-ordinated wording of the constitutional act," Lukashenko stated.

He also remarked that successful integration of Russia and Belarus would directly depend on common economic space.

Alexander Lukashenko maintained that essential steps had been made in 2002 to provide equal conditions for the two countries' economic entities.

He also expressed the hope that social issues would receive special attention in 2003. "We are forming our union state for the sake of the Russian and Belarussian peoples," said Alexander Lukashenko. And today's session, in his words, will address these issues, too.