Matviyenko: MPs of Eurasian Union should be chosen by popular vote

She noted that at the meeting with the Belarusian head of state she discussed the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union. "Certainly, the roadmap that has already been adopted envisages the fully operational Eurasian Economic Union by 2015. The first serious steps have already been made: a supranational body - the Eurasian Economic Commission - has been set up. The commission assumed some of the sovereign powers of the member states. We believe that the full-blown Eurasian Union can be effective if it has a full-blown parliament," Valentina Matviyenko said.

A working group has been set up to develop the schedule, schemes, deadlines and the final format of the future parliament. "I believe that we should start working on it now, so by the time we sign the agreement on establishing the full-blown Eurasian Economic Union, a decision on the parliament should already be adopted," Valentina Matviyenko said.

"I believe that the MPs should be elected by popular vote, which means by people living in the participating states, the MPs should not be delegated. I believe in this case the parliament will be vested with the powers of the citizens of these states, and will be efficient and valid. This is my personal point of view. There will be different ones. I cannot say now which one will prevail, but I am in favor of popular vote, which will ensure that this will not be a quasi-parliament, but a real parliament chosen by people," she said.

"The work has started. And the decision (on the establishment of the parliament - BelTA's note) will be passed by 2015," the Chairperson of the Federation Council added.

According to Valentina Matviyenko, at the meeting with the Belarusian President they discussed the idea of "integration of integrations" from Lisbon to Vladivostok. "This is a combination of various integration projects in the interest of development," she said.