MPs ratify Belarus-Russia agreement on defense industry cooperation
MINSK, 18 April (BelTA) – At the meeting of the ninth session of the House of Representatives of the seventh convocation Belarusian MPs adopted the bill “On the ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Russian Federation on the implementation of the Belarus-Russia Defense Industry Cooperation Program until 2025”, BelTA has learned.
The bill was submitted to the House of Representatives by the Council of Ministers on 27 March. After the ratification of the agreement, the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation will embark on implementing the defense industry cooperation program. This program provides for mutual deliveries of defense products to law enforcement, the military and security agencies, as well as to factories and scientific organizations of Belarus and Russia. It also provides for collaborations on the creation of new and the upgrade of existing weapons, military equipment, defense products, dual and special-purpose products. In line with the program, the two countries will align their policies in the field of technical regulation, standardization and cataloging of defense products, implement joint projects for third countries, participate in events related to defense industry cooperation held in the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation.
According to the agreement, the governments of the two countries shall provide assistance to the authorized organizations of the two states and ensure equal conditions for their participation in the program activities. This will help avoid competitive procurement procedures and will significantly accelerate the obtaining of permits for the movement of defense products. When this agreement enters into force, the previous intergovernmental agreement on the defense industry cooperation as of 25 December 2013 will expire. This agreement was ratified by the law of the Republic of Belarus dated 14 July 2014.
After the new agreement is ratified, Russia is to lift bans and restrictions on the admission of industrial goods, works (services) from foreign countries to the procurement procedures held for the country’s defense and security sectors. The parties to the agreement shall speed up and streamline the issuance of permits for the movement and supply of defense products and the provision of services for the activities included in the program.
The adoption of the bill will not entail the reduction in public funds or increase in spending. The findings of the Justice Ministry and the National Center of Legislation and Legal Research of Belarus suggest that the agreement does not contain provisions that run afoul of the Constitution, but establishes rules other than those contained in the laws of Belarus and presidential decrees.
