The role of civil society institutions in the processes of mutual integration of Russia and Belarus
The article is devoted to the role of civil society institutions in the processes of mutual integration of Russia and Belarus. The author presents an analysis of the political cultures of Russia and Belarus. The role of the Public chamber of the Union state, the Civil UNION initiative, a program of "DNA identification", Association of trade unions of SG, the writers of SG and other supranational institutions. The significance of interregional cooperation at the level of educational institutions and private companies is analyzed. The role of the Union media is outlined. It is concluded that the lack of proper civil society mechanisms in the Union state may lead to the denunciation of the Union Treaty or its transformation towards the construction of a "soft Confederation". The importance of civil institutions in preserving the common confessional and cultural space is noted. It is assumed that for a more successful mutual integration, it is necessary to reformat the values so that the population is more optimistic about various types of associations.