MOSCOW, November 14 (RIA Novosti) - The 2008 budget of the Russia-Belarus union state will amount to 4.06 billion rubles (about $165 million), following the results of the union state's 32nd parliamentary session on Wednesday.

The union budget revenue will be formed through contributions from the member states. Russia will contribute 2.64 billion rubles ($107.3 million), and Belarus will provide 1.42 billion rubles ($57.7 million).

The budget stipulates financing for 30 programs, including programs to equip the external border of the union state, harmonize social and labor legislations, social guarantees for Russian and Belarusian citizens, maintain and modernize military infrastructure, and also agricultural and other projects.

The ex-Soviet neighbors have been in talks since 1997 over building a union state with a common economic, customs and political space, but the negotiations have been complicated by a host of issues, including energy and financial disputes.

RIA Novosti


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