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80-479: The Union State of Russia and Belarus , officially also referred to as Union State , is a supranational union consisting of Belarus and Russia , with the stated aim of deepening the relationship between the two states through integration in economic and defence policy. Originally, the Union State aimed to create a confederation ; however, both countries currently retain their independence. The Union State

160-577: A considerable amount of media attention and raised speculation that a Union State might indeed be the focus of a new initiative by both governments. Of primary interest was renewed discussion of the Union Parliament (which, although planned, was never actually realized) and a Union State Constitutional Act , an instrument which could strengthen the authority of the Union. According to State Secretary Borodin, five variants of this Act were discussed at

240-529: A flag for the Union State. There have, however been several proposals for flags and coats of arms. Two proposals have been made for the flag of the Union. In all cases, they are modifications to the flag of the Soviet Union , but representing the state (not communism). In both cases, two gold stars are placed in the canton of the red flag (to represent the two states of the Union). A proposed coat of arms

320-524: A full supranational union as conceived in the first Community. The only union generally recognised as having achieved the status of a supranational union is the European Union. Although the Soviet Union was created under an initial ideological appearance of forming a supranational union, it never de facto functioned as one, and constitutionally was a federation ; see Republics of

400-646: A local tribunal or national courts, where appropriate. Member states have yet to fulfil and develop the articles in the Paris and Rome treaties for full democracy in the European Parliament and other institutions such as the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions. Schuman described supranational unions as a new stage in human development. It contrasted with destructive nationalisms of

480-465: A one-day warning strike, protesting the new VAT scheme between the two countries and Lukashenko's economic policies. On 15 December 2006, talks over the Union State were heating up. By January 2007, however, talks appeared to be stalled, as President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus stated: "The Russian leadership is demanding that we join the Russian Federation—that's what is in the heads of

560-553: A paradigmatic case of a supranational organization, as it has deep political, economic and social integration, which includes a common market , joint border control , a supreme court , and regular popular elections . Another method of decision-making in international organisations is intergovernmentalism , in which state governments play a more prominent role. After the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, Albert Einstein spoke and wrote frequently in

640-473: A significant political transformation. However, the most visible and arguably important official in the Union has been the State Secretary, who runs the Union State's day-to-day operations. In the same meeting, State Secretary Borodin announced that the 2009 Union State budget would total 6–7 billion roubles , an increase of over 2 billion roubles from 2008. On 1 August 2011, Putin stated he supported

720-543: A similar proposal in 1994, envisioning the founding of a Eurasian union, but this proposal was not adopted until 29 May 2014 with the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union . The Treaty on the Creation of a Union State creates legal framework as constitutional act and establishes the following institutions The Union State based on its founding treaties has exclusive jurisdiction over the creation of

800-437: A single economic space and legal foundations for a common market, monetary union, single tax and pricing policy, unified development and procurement of defence equipment, unified system of technical support for the armed forces. Common command of regional military is further realized through many other documents based on this Union State jurisdiction, common border policy and other jurisdictions. Besides exclusive jurisdictions of

880-508: A supranational community. However, governments only began to hold direct elections to the European Parliament in 1979, and then not according to the treaties. A single electoral statute was specified in the treaty for Europe's first community of coal and steel in 1951. Civil society (largely non-political) was to have its own elected chamber in the Consultative Committees specific to each Community as democratically agreed, but

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960-484: A supranational union like the European Union has characteristics that are not entirely dissimilar to the characteristics of a federal state like the United States of America . However, the differences in scale become apparent if one compares the United States federal budget with the budget of the European Union (which amounts only to about one percent of combined GDP) or the size of the federal civil service of

1040-589: A three-pillar system under the Amsterdam Treaty and Maastricht Treaty , mixing intergovernmental and supranational systems. Two pillars governing External policy and Justice and Home affairs are not subject to the same democratic controls as the Community system. In the Lisbon Treaty and the earlier nearly identical Constitutional Treaty, the democratic independence of the five key institutions

1120-481: A union of Russia, Belarus, and possibly South Ossetia. Belarusian Foreign Minister spokesman Andrei Savinykh rejected the idea, as did Dmitri Medojev , South Ossetia's ambassador to Moscow, who stated "Our people voted for independence in a referendum in 2006 and they do not relish the idea of becoming part of the Russian Federation." Since 2015, focus on developing relations between former members of

1200-531: A wider union of the two nations. Belarus and Russia had been collecting a value-added tax (VAT), meant to finance the Union State, in the country of origin, but from 1 January 2005, VAT is collected in the country of destination, as in most other independent countries of the world. This change gave rise to a considerable degree of confusion and has disrupted many trade operations between Belarus and Russia. On 10 February 2005, private entrepreneurs in Belarus staged

1280-483: Is a modification of the double-headed eagle holding the coats of arms of Russia and Belarus. A song called " Sovereign Union of Nations " ( Russian : Державный союз народов Derzhavny soyuz narodov , Belarusian : Дзяржаўны саюз народаў Dzyarzhauny sayuz narodau ) has been proposed as the Union's unofficial anthem. The song, which was modified from the National Anthem of the Soviet Union , refers to

1360-449: Is a single sovereign state. The European Economic Community was described by its founder Robert Schuman as midway between confederalism which recognises the complete independence of states in an association and federalism which seeks to fuse them in a super-state. The EU has supranational competences, but it possesses these competences only to the extent that they are conferred on it by its member states ( Kompetenz-Kompetenz ). Within

1440-507: Is based on a previous international treaty between Russia and Belarus made on 2 April 1997. Although it consists of only Russia and Belarus, other countries are allowed to join. The supranational union is ruled through the Supreme State Council and other governing bodies. As of 2024, the current president of the Supreme State Council of the Union is Alexander Lukashenko , who has held the position since 2000. The present goal of

1520-424: Is further blurred. This moves the project from full democratic supranationalism in the direction of not just intergovernmentalism but the politicisation of the institutions, and control by two or three major party political organisations. The Commission defines key legal aspects of the supranational system because its members must be independent of commercial, labour, consumer, political or lobby interests (Article 9 of

1600-501: Is worried   ... (then) it is very simple: join in the Union State of Belarus and Russia. That's all: there will be nuclear weapons for everyone." This was just a few days after he had confirmed that the movement of some of Russia's tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus had begun and the Russian Defence Minister had said he was signing documents concerning the procedure for storing tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus,

1680-591: The Committee of the Regions which the treaties give powers equivalent to parliaments in their own areas but which are at present still developing their potential. In the European Union, the Lisbon Treaty mixes two principles (classical parliamentary government with a politically elected government) and a supranational community with an independent European Commission . Governments are also trying to treat

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1760-536: The Council of Europe created a system based on human rights and the rule of law . Robert Schuman , French foreign minister, initiated the debate on supranational democracy in his speeches at the United Nations, at the signing of the council's Statutes and at a series of other speeches across Europe and North America. The term "supranational" occurs in an international treaty for the first time (twice) in

1840-525: The European Coal and Steel Community . The six founder States (France, Italy, West Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg) agreed on the goal: making "war not only unthinkable but materially impossible". They agreed about the means: putting the vital interests, namely coal and steel production, under a common High Authority, subject to common democratic and legal institutions. They agreed on

1920-710: The Iron Curtain countries. The term supranational does not occur in succeeding treaties, such as the Treaties of Rome , the Maastricht Treaty , the Treaty of Nice or the Constitutional Treaty or the very similar Treaty of Lisbon . A supranational union is a supranational polity which lies somewhere between a confederation that is an association of sovereign states and a federation that

2000-463: The Lisbon Treaty , the distribution of competences in various policy areas between member states and the European Union is redistributed in three categories. In 19th century US, it had exclusive competences only. Competences not explicitly listed belong to lower levels of governance. In a supranational union, the problem of how to reconcile the principle of equality among nation states, which applies to international (intergovernmental) organisations, and

2080-653: The Soviet Union is on continued development of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), itself a further development of the Eurasian Customs Union established in 2010. It is modelled on the integration of the European Union and comprises 5 member states: Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. Tajikistan has also expressed an interest in joining. However, the EAEU is only an economic union , and at present, political integration remains within

2160-475: The customs union until it was restored in 2010. Plans had also been set in motion to implement a common currency across the Union, but these have been postponed several times. On 16 November 2010, it was announced by the Union State website that the Constitutional Act was 99% ready. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko promised to introduce a common currency on 1 January 2004. The currency

2240-502: The Belarusian ministry of defence the purpose of this deployment was to create a "regional military grouping" of the Union State. In the same month it was announced that Russian air forces were patrolling the borders of the Union State in Belarus. In an interview aired by Russia's state television in late May 2023, Lukashenko stated that other countries who were willing to join the Union State would be given nuclear weapons: "If someone

2320-485: The Council of Ministers. The official languages of the Union State are the state languages of the participating states. Russian is used as a working language in the common organs of the Union State. Shortly after its inauguration, both member states seemed to have lost their enthusiasm for the Union, with first Russia, and then Belarus, restoring customs controls along their common border in 2001, effectively suspending

2400-562: The European Commission as a political office. Governments would prefer to have a national member in the commission, although this is against the principle of supranational democracy. (The original concept was that the commission should act as a single impartial college of independent, experienced personalities having public confidence. One of the Communities was defined in the treaty with a Commission with fewer members than

2480-544: The European Commission into a political secretariat under his control in the Fouchet Plan but this move was thwarted by such democrats in the Benelux countries as Paul-Henri Spaak , Joseph Luns and Joseph Bech as well as a large wave of other pro-Europeans in all the Community countries. The supranational Community method came under attack, not only from de Gaulle but also from other nationalists and Communists. In

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2560-666: The European Community and the present European Union said that supranationalism was the cornerstone of the governmental system. This is enshrined in the Europe Declaration made on 18 April 1951, the same day as the European Founding Fathers signed the Treaty of Paris . "By the signature of this Treaty, the participating Parties give proof of their determination to create the first supranational institution and that thus they are laying

2640-594: The European rule of law and a new democratic procedure. The five institutions (besides the High Authority) were a Consultative Committee (a chamber representing civil society interests of enterprises, workers and consumers), a parliament, and a Council of government ministers. A Court of Justice would decide disputes coming from governments, public or private enterprises, consumer groups, any other group interests or even an individual. A complaint could be lodged in

2720-481: The Lisbon Treaty as a simple classical treaty, or even an amendment to one, which does not require citizens' support or democratic approval. The proposed Lisbon Treaty and the earlier Constitutional draft still retain in the European Union elements of a supranational union, as distinct from a federal state on the lines of the United States of America. But this is at the expense of the democratic potentialities of

2800-647: The Paris Treaty). The commission was to be composed of a small number of experienced personalities, whose impartiality was beyond question. As such, the early presidents of the Commission and the High Authority were strong defenders of European democracy against national, autocratic practice or the rule of the strong over the weak. The idea in the Constitutional and Lisbon Treaties is to run

2880-589: The Republic of Belarus announced that, starting in 2008, the Belarusian ruble would be pegged to the United States dollar instead of the Russian ruble . Union State grants citizenship to citizens in both states meaning that every citizen of the Russian Federation and every citizen of the Republic of Belarus is at the same time a citizen of the Union with the guaranteed right to move and reside freely within

2960-470: The Russian leadership. I don't want to bury the sovereignty and independence of [Belarus]." He added: "From all the consultations and discussions, I have understood that we have different approaches and understandings of the building of a Union State", and opposed "the possibility of the incorporation into Russia [of Belarus]". However, on 19 October 2007, Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov announced that

3040-459: The Soviet Union § Constitutional status for details. There are a number of other regional organisations that, while not supranational unions, have adopted or intend to adopt policies that may lead to a similar sort of integration in some respects. Other organisations that have also discussed greater integration include: Pavel Borodin Borodin was born in the town of Shakhunya , near

3120-463: The Treaty of Paris, 18 April 1951. This new legal term defined the community method in creating the European Coal and Steel Community and the beginning of the democratic re-organisation of Europe. It defines the relationship between the High Authority or European Commission and the other four institutions. In the treaty, it relates to a new democratic and legal concept. The Founding Fathers of

3200-645: The Union Parliament has president and four vice presidents and 8 permanent committees for different areas of legislature. Current president of Parliamentary Assembly of Union is Vyacheslav Volodin On 12 December 2020, the 59th joint session of the House of the Union parliament was held to consider the Union State budget for 2021. in 4715,15 millions of roubles or approximately 61.631.112 US dollars Court of Union should consist of nine judges appointed for six-year terms. But while provisions for court are given in adopted treaty court

3280-723: The Union State Parliament, the functions of the Union State Parliament are performed by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia in accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 70 of the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State of 8 December 1999. Regular sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly House of the Union are held twice a year and for Quorum at least two third is needed to be present. House of

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3360-427: The Union State mainly focuses on economic integration, taxation, and integration of defence and intelligence apparatus. The Community of Belarus and Russia was founded on 2 April 1996, following 1995 agreements that established a Russian military presence in Belarus . The basis of the union was strengthened on 2 April 1997 with the signing of the "Treaty on the Union between Belarus and Russia", at which time its name

3440-458: The Union State there are joint jurisdiction of the Union State and the subjects of the Union State that includes joint defence policy, harmonization and unification of the legislation of the subjects of the Union State, development of science, education, culture, formation of a common scientific, technological and information space, migration, working conditions and labor protection, social security, combating terrorism, corruption and others. Outside

3520-488: The Union State with Russia. On 14 March, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin met with Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko in Moscow, telling reporters that they "coordinated measures to protect our economic security and the technological sovereignty of Russia and Belarus" and "consider it necessary to strengthen integration in the Union State". On 18 March, the Russian government announced that all restrictions on

3600-472: The Union comprises two chambers – the House of the Union and the House of Representatives . The House of Representatives should contain of 75 deputies from Russia and 28 from Belarus, elected by the general populace of each. According to treaty, currently only House of the Union is formed and it consists of 72 deputies – 36 from Russia and 36 from Belarus. Before the elections for the House of Representatives of

3680-663: The United States with the Civil Service of the European Union . Historically the concept was introduced and made a concrete reality by Robert Schuman when the French Government agreed to the principle in the Schuman Declaration and accepted the Schuman Plan confined to specific sectors of vital interest of peace and war. Thus commenced the European Community system beginning with

3760-494: The budget of the Union State "will grow by no less than ten percent next year, and that growth will provide for worthy funding of our common projects." This has led to speculation that the Russian government have renewed their interest in the idea. A meeting between President Lukashenko of Belarus, President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Union State Secretary Pavel Borodin was held in Minsk 13–14 December 2007. This meeting received

3840-478: The chairman of the Executive Committee of the Union that have an advisory vote. The President of the Supreme State Council is the head of one of the participating States on a rotation basis, unless the participating States agree otherwise. Supreme State Council makes decisions on issues regarding the security of the member states of the Union including their collective protection from outside threats,

3920-727: The city of Nizhny (Formerly known as Gorky during Soviet times) in the Nizhny Novgorod Region . Shortly after his birth, the family moved to the city of Kyzyl in the Tuva Region, which is situated in the far south of Siberia. From 1993 to 1998, he was Head of the Presidential Property Management Department of the Russian Federation . His deputy and successor in this position was Vladimir Putin . According to

4000-594: The constitution of such an organization might be written. In an April 1948 address at Carnegie Hall, he reiterated: "There is only one path to peace and security: the path of supranational organization." Thanks to his celebrity, Einstein's ideas on the subject generated much discussion and controversy, but the proposal did not generate much support in the West and the Soviet Union viewed it with hostility. With its founding Statute of 1949 and its Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which came into force in 1953,

4080-421: The control of public opinion that was effectual without paralysing their activity nor useful initiatives". Joseph H. H. Weiler , in his work The Dual Character of Supranationalism , states that there are two main facets to European supranationalism, although these seem to be true of many supranational systems. These are: In many ways, the split sees the separation of powers confined to merely two branches. In

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4160-417: The creation of the Union to harmonize the political and economic differences between the two countries. According to some observers, Lukashenko's intention was also to gain great power, becoming president of a future Russia-Belarus federation after Yeltsin's demise due to his all-time low popularity. However, after Yeltsin resigned, Vladimir Putin was elected in 2000 to succeed him as Russian president. There

4240-408: The democratically agreed goals of the Community. The first Community of Coal and Steel was agreed only for fifty years. Opposition, mainly by enterprises which had to pay a small European tax of less than 1% and government ministers in the council, led to its democratic mandate not being renewed. Its jurisprudence and heritage remains part of the European Community system. De Gaulle attempted to turn

4320-572: The first stage of joint military officer training programs designed to integrate the military structures of the countries. This military collective is called the Regional Forces Group of Belarus and Russia (RGF). The goal of these operations is to ensure cohesive training, practice and implementation of military interests for the nations, and were aimed at strategic and battle training taking place in February and March 2009. Furthermore,

4400-561: The investigative journalist Jake Bernstein (2019), in that role Borodin signed a contract with a Swiss to renovate the Grand Kremlin Palace. Other contracts followed, as well as around $ 30 million on kickbacks that Borodin distributed to friends and fellow officials, including to then-president Boris Yeltsin (p. 92). From 1998 to 2000, he became a member of the Interdepartmental Commission of

4480-646: The late 1940s in favour of a "supranational" organization to control all military forces except for local police forces, including nuclear weapons. He thought this might begin with the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union, and grow to encompass most other nations, presenting this as the only way to avoid nuclear war. He broached the idea in the November 1945 and November 1947 articles in The Atlantic Monthly that described how

4560-408: The limits of the exclusive jurisdiction of the Union State and subjects of joint jurisdiction of the Union State and the subjects of the Union State, the subjects of the Union State retain the full completeness of state power. Pavel Borodin was the first State Secretary of the Union. He was first appointed by the Supreme State Council on 26 January 2000 for a four-year term. In 2004 and 2008 his term

4640-473: The meeting, each of which would involve a 7 to 10 year transitional period in the Union's development. Trade and energy issues were also discussed. On 27 May 2008, President Lukashenko, acting in his capacity as Chairman of the Supreme State Council named then Russian Prime Minister and current President Putin Chairman of the Council of Ministers. This move raised speculation that the Union was about to undergo

4720-440: The military doctrine of the Russian Federation provides that "an armed attack on the state-participant in the Union State, as well as all other actions involving the use of military force against it," should be deemed "an act of aggression against the Union State", authorizing Moscow to "take measures in response". Since the formation of the Union State in 1997, Belarus and Russia have thus far failed to institute any symbols or even

4800-513: The movement of citizens between Russia and Belarus would be lifted. On 1 July 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the "unification" process has been accelerated to alleviate the economic damage of the sanctions. In October 2022, following the September 2022 mobilisation of reservists in Russia , a contingent of approximately 9,000 Russian soldiers arrived in Belarus. According to

4880-526: The nineteenth and twentieth centuries that began in a glorious patriotism and ended in wars. He traced the beginning concept of supranationality back to the nineteenth century, such as the Postal Union, and the term supranational is used around the time of the First World War. Democracy, which he defined as "in the service of the people and acting in agreement with it", was a fundamental part of

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4960-608: The number of its member states.) Thus, the members of the commission are becoming predominantly party-political, and composed of sometimes rejected, disgraced or unwanted national politicians. The first president of the High Authority was Jean Monnet , who never joined a political party, as was the case with most of the other members of the Commissions. They came from diverse liberal professions, having made recognised European contributions. Governments also wish to retain

5040-566: The plan for which had first been announced by Putin in March. Supranational union List of forms of government A supranational union is a type of international organization and political union that is empowered to directly exercise some of the powers and functions otherwise reserved to states . A supranational organization involves a greater transfer of or limitation of state sovereignty than other kinds of international organizations. The European Union (EU) has been described as

5120-421: The post-de Gaulle period, rather than holding pan-European elections under a single statute as specified in all the treaties, governments held and continue to hold separate national elections for the European Parliament. These often favour the major parties and discriminate against smaller, regional parties. Rather than granting elections to organised civil society in the consultative committees, governments created

5200-466: The principle of equality among citizens, which applies within nation states is resolved by taking a sectoral approach. This allows an innovatory, democratic broadening the number of actors to be included. These are present not only in the classical Parliament which has slightly different functions but also in the Consultative Committees such as the European Economic and Social Committee and

5280-846: The process was frozen (as were Europe's parliamentary elections) by Charles de Gaulle and other politicians who opposed the Community method. Today supranationalism only exists in the two European Communities inside the EU: the Economic Community (often called the European Community although it does not legally cover all State activities) and Euratom (the European Atomic Energy Community, a non-proliferation community, in which certain potentialities have been frozen or blocked). Supranational Communities provide powerful but generally unexploited and innovatory means for democratic foreign policy, by mobilising civil society to

5360-444: The protection of the Union's borders, military development, and many other issues. The Council of Ministers is composed of the member states' Prime Ministers, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Economy, and Finance and the State Secretary of the Union. Permanent Committee of the Union State is formed as permanent working body of Council of Ministers. Current president of Council of Ministers is Mikhail Mishustin . Parliamentary Assembly of

5440-607: The remit of the Union State. Deeper economic integration is proposed in 2021 within current talks of member states. In November 2021, Russia and Belarus signed an agreement to provide for common policies on taxation, banking, industry, agriculture, and energy. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , part of which was staged from Belarus' territory, Russia and Belarus came under sanctions and boycotts . On 3 March, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko said he stood fully behind Russian president Vladimir Putin's campaign in Ukraine as part of Belarus's longstanding commitment to

5520-437: The scope of these competences, the union exercises its powers in a sovereign manner, having its own legislative , executive, and judicial authorities. The supranational Community also has a chamber for organised civil society including economic and social associations and regional bodies. The union has legal supremacy over its member states only to the extent that its member state governments have conferred competences on

5600-499: The secrecy of their deliberations in the Council of Ministers or the European Council, which discusses matters of the most vital interest to European citizens. While some institutions such as the European Parliament have their debates open to the public, others such as the Council of Ministers and numerous committees are not. Schuman wrote in his book, Pour l'Europe ( For Europe ), that in a democratic supranational Community "the Councils, committees and other organs should be placed under

5680-567: The territory of the other party, allowing Belarusian citizens to travel freely in Russia and have the right to settle there to work or study, and vice versa including possession, use and disposal of property on the territory of another state. The Union State does provide citizens of Russia and Belarus the right to work and permanently settle in either country without formal immigration procedures otherwise mandatory for foreign nationals. They retain their national passports and other identification papers. On 10 February 2009, Russia and Belarus implemented

5760-503: The true foundation of an organised Europe. This Europe remains open to all nations. We profoundly hope that other nations will join us in our common endeavour." This declaration of principles that included their judgement for the necessary future developments was signed by Konrad Adenauer (West Germany), Paul van Zeeland and Joseph Meurice (Belgium), Robert Schuman (France), Count Sforza (Italy), Joseph Bech (Luxembourg), and Dirk Stikker and Jan van den Brink (The Netherlands). It

5840-470: The union. It is up to the individual governments to assure that they have full democratic backing in each of the member states. The citizens of the member states, though retaining their nationality and national citizenship , additionally become citizens of the union, as is the case with the European Union. The European Union, the only clear example of a supranational union, has a parliament with legislative oversight, elected by its citizens. To this extent,

5920-531: Was also the Freedom March , a 1999 protest against unification in the Belarusian capital of Minsk . Putin's election and the Freedom March forced Lukashenko to cancel his plans and maintain a balance between the independence of Belarus and Putin's increasing pressure for further integration of the two countries into the Union State. The Treaty on the Creation of a Union State of Russia and Belarus

6000-577: Was changed to the Union of Belarus and Russia . Several further agreements were signed on 25 December 1998, with the intention of providing greater political, economic and social integration. Nevertheless, the nature of the political entity remained vague. Under pressure from his political opponents, who argued for a reunion of the two states, and from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko , who sought to tie his excessively weak economy to Russia's stronger one, Russian President Boris Yeltsin initiated

6080-406: Was made to recall future generations to their historic duty of uniting Europe based on liberty and democracy under the rule of law. Thus, they viewed the creation of a wider and deeper Europe as intimately bound to the healthy development of the supranational or Community system. This Europe was open to all nations who were free to decide, a reference/or an invitation and encouragement of liberty to

6160-493: Was not formed. Accounting Chamber, is tasked with controlling the implementation of the Union State budget. It consists of 11 members appointed for a period of 6 years from among the citizens of the member states who have experience in control and audit who are appointed by the Parliament of the Union State on the proposal of the Council of Ministers. The Accounting Chamber establishes its own regulations, which are approved by

6240-576: Was not introduced, and the plan was pushed back by one year. On 1 January 2005, the Union State again failed to introduce a common currency, and it was again postponed by one year, which, in 2006, happened once again. During a press-conference in Minsk on 2 February 2006, Pyotr Prokopovich , chief of the National Bank of Belarus , announced that a "common currency might be introduced in 2007". This, however, failed to occur in 2007. The National Bank of

6320-465: Was renewed for an additional four years, leaving office in 2011. Since then the office has been held by Grigory Rapota . Union State is ruled through Supreme State Council of the Union. The Supreme State Council of the Union includes the member heads of states, respective governments, and both chambers of parliaments. Decisions on Supreme Council are made by principle of one state – one vote and presidents of states give that vote. Supreme Council includes

6400-608: Was signed on 8 December 1999. The intention was to achieve a federation like the Soviet Union , with a common head of state, legislature, flag, coat of arms, anthem, constitution, army, citizenship and currency. The Union was ratified by the Russian State Duma on 22 December 1999 and the National Assembly of Belarus on 26 January 2000. On the latter date the Treaty and the Union came into effect. Then Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev had put forward

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