Overchuk assessed the prospects of Russia and Belarus' transition to a single currency

Despite significant integration rapprochement in the economic and social spheres, Russia and Belarus retain their sovereignty and are in no hurry to move to a single currency. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told Izvestia.

"It is much more important that our people do not notice the borders, travel freely, choose where to study, work or rest, enjoy equal social rights regardless of which of the two countries they choose to live in. It is also important for businesses not to feel borders, trade barriers and to have free access to the large common market of the two countries. As for currency, we mutually recognize the cards of our national payment systems and have the opportunity to pay without resorting to the services of exchangers. In today's world, everything happens in the digital environment. Mutual trade is mostly conducted in national currencies, and this suits business," he said.

The issue of a common currency is not so relevant today, the deputy prime minister said.

"We have talked a couple of times with our colleagues about a common currency. Just for its introduction the conditions must mature, and someone will have to substantiate why it is really necessary. I believe that at some stage, perhaps, we will come to such a level of integration rapprochement that our further joint development will require the formation of appropriate budget sources, and this will probably be the argument. Someday economic expediency will say its word, and I think that then the Belarusians will be the first to suggest switching to a common currency," said Alexei Overchuk.

In addition, according to him, one should realize that in the minds of many people the national currency is "an attribute of sovereignty, and it should be respected.

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Taken into account: the share of national currencies between Russia and Belarus has reached 98%