On 16 July the Federation Council, the Russian upper house of parliament, ratified the protocol amending the agreement between Belarus and the Russian Federation on equal rights of citizens thus having completed the process of ratification, BelTA learned. 

The protocol was signed in Moscow on 13 March 2025. On 15 July it was ratified by the Russian State Duma.

The protocol stipulates that citizens of one party who permanently reside in the territory of the other party have the right to elect and be elected to local self-government bodies. Russian citizens permanently residing in Belarus shall have the same opportunity.

The protocol shall enter into force on the date of receipt, through diplomatic channels, of the last written notification of the completion of the necessary domestic procedures.

Photo: BelTA