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Anatoly Rubinov re-elected speaker of the Council of Republic in Belarus

In an address to his fellow-lawmakers Rubinov said that a great deal of work was lying ahead in improving the national legislation

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MINSK, October 19 (Itar-Tass) — Anatoly Rubinov on Friday was re-elected speaker of the Council of the Republic, the upper chamber of the Belarusian National Assembly (parliament).

In an address to his fellow-lawmakers Rubinov said that a great deal of work was lying ahead in improving the national legislation and developing inter-parliamentary interaction. He focused on participation of Belarusian lawmakers in the integration processes on the post-Soviet space, especially in the creation of the Eurasian Economic Union and its parliamentary structures.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko who made a speech at the opening of the first session of the new upper chamber stressed the need to develop local self-government.

“The situation in the country has become stable and controllable long ago. Our society has matured to develop further and stimulate support for local initiatives of our citizens,” the Belarusian president said.

Lukashenko said that inter-parliamentary contacts were a vital element of parliamentary activities.

“You should work with those who respect our people, recognize our sovereignty and build equal relations with us,” Lukashenko emphasized, adding that they included brethren Russia, China, India, highly-developed East-Asian states and rich Arab countries, Venezuela, Latin America and Africa.

Lukashenko said that Belarus was actively developing cooperation with Russian regions. “The Council of the Republic alongside with regional Councils could make a tangible contribution to establishing direct ties between Belarusian regions and regions and territories of Russia,” the Belarusian president stressed.

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