ST. PETERSBURG, January 24 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia and Belarus needed further integration. "Citizens of our countries are waiting for consistent progress in Russian-Belarusian integration and practical solutions, consolidating its foundation and improving living standards in both countries," Putin said at a session of the Supreme Council of the Russia-Belarus Union. "We should carry out serious and diligent work to justify their expectations."
His Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko said: "This is a special year for Russian-Belarusian integration," adding that ten years ago the two countries had made the right decision in forming the union.
He also said equal rights of Russians and Belarusians were a focus of the Supreme Council's work.
Some agreements are ready to be signed, including: "agreements on social guarantees, freedom of movement, choice of residence and medical services," Putin said.
Russian-Belarusian foreign political cooperation and a unified external border are among other priorities of the two countries, the Russian president said. "The existing programs in this sphere have proved their effectiveness."
Putin said the two countries would also sign a document on the Union's property "establishing a precise order of using and managing the joint property of our nations," and would approve the Union's budget.
"Its adoption will help to launch a range of the Union's programs for cooperation," Putin said.
