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19 June 2018, 20:12

Belarus, Russia reiterate readiness for compromises in addressing disputes

MINSK, 19 June (BelTA) – Belarus and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to searching for compromises while addressing disputable issues, Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko told reporters following the recent session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in Minsk on 19 June, BelTA has learned.

“Disputable issues that arise sometimes in Belarus-Russia relations will be traditionally handled in the spirit of mutual understanding and compromise. This is already being done by our authorities. The commitment to this has been reaffirmed during my meeting with Vladimir Putin and during the session of the Supreme State Council,” the Belarusian leader said.

In his words, the parties are set to go on with a constructive dialogue across all areas of cooperation. “We will take maximum advantage of the opportunities offered by the Union State to boost sustainable development of our countries and improve living standards of our nations,” the president said.

“I am convinced that today we have managed to give a powerful impetus to the fraternal partnership of Belarus and Russia,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

He emphasized a special format of the Supreme State Council. “It looks like Belarus is the only country where Russia's entire political establishment goes all at once. We appreciate that,” the Belarusian leader said.

The Supreme State Council session discussed bilateral cooperation, integration and economic contacts.

“Our project is a sustainable platform for strengthening Belarus-Russia relations. The major goal remains unchanged – faster social and economic development of the two states and higher living standards for our peoples,” the head of state said.

Alexander Lukashenko stated that last year the mutual trade returned to a stable growth path and keeps growing ever since. “We need to ensure further expansion of trade relations including through the establishment of an equal competitive environment. We devoted much of our time to this topic during today's meeting," he said.

The parties also discussed the priority areas of the Union State development for the next five years. One of the key instruments for achieving development goals is to improve the system of interaction between relevant organizations of Belarus and Russia. This task has been vested on the Standing Committee of the Union State.

Close consideration was given to interregional cooperation as a major component of bilateral ties. Alexander Lukashenko noted that more than 80 regions of the Russian Federation maintain trade and economic relations with Belarus. Three hundred cooperation agreements have been signed between regions and municipalities.

The president recalled that Mogilev will play host to the Fifth Forum of the Regions of Belarus and Russia in October this year and invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend this forum.

“We also talked about the importance of coordinating the work of the foreign ministries. Our countries have common positions on major global issues, and support each other in international organizations. This is how it will always be,” the Belarusian leader said.

Alexander Lukashenko hailed the importance of the program of concerted action in foreign policy for 2018-2019. “We will continue to coordinate approaches to the problems of regional and pan-European security, and jointly counteract new challenges and threats," he said.

After the end of the Supreme State Council session Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin exchanged gifts. The Russian president received a picture of Saint Petersburg, which is Vladimir Putin's native city. The Belarus president received a set of souvenirs and a samovar with symbols of the world football championship.

Lukashenko calls for removing barriers in Belarus-Russia tradeLukashenko calls for removing barriers in Belarus-Russia trade
"In 2017, we reversed the decline in mutual trade. Today, it is important to cement the positive trends and to ensure the trade between the two countries keeps growing, including by means of removing mutual barriers and exemptions,” Alexander Lukashenko noted.

Lukashenko expects resolution of all problems at Belarusian-Russian borderLukashenko expects resolution of all problems at Belarusian-Russian border
The head of state noted that protecting interests of citizens of both countries represents a special part in efforts to build and enhance the Union State of Belarus and Russia.

Interregional relations named key to success of Belarusian-Russian integrationInterregional relations named key to success of Belarusian-Russian integration
Joint forums of regions of Belarus and Russia have been held since 2014. The next forum will be held in Mogilev in October this year, the head of state said.

Russian food export to Belarus per capita exceeds Belarusian food export to RussiaRussian food export to Belarus per capita exceeds Belarusian food export to Russia
Alexander Lukashenko said: “We are accustomed to hearing that Belarus exports a lot. But in per capita terms Russia supplies more to Belarus than Belarus does to Russia. I am not going to specify the figures. Look them up. But the ratio is much larger.”

Putin reaffirms commitment to economic integration with BelarusPutin reaffirms commitment to economic integration with Belarus
Russia is committed to the further economic integration with Belarus, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Belarus-Russia Union State in Minsk on 19 June.

Putin sees good prospects for energy cooperation with BelarusPutin sees good prospects for energy cooperation with Belarus
Russia's President Vladimir Putin sees good prospects for expanding Belarus-Russia cooperation in energy. He made this statement during the session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in Minsk on 19 June.

Russia, Belarus set to strengthen strategic partnershipRussia, Belarus set to strengthen strategic partnership
The Russian leader informed that the session reviewed the work of the Union Sate and outlined new development goals. “The joint declaration that has just been signed reaffirms the commitment to strengthen and expand strategic partnership between Russia and Belarus,” he emphasized.

Putin describes meeting with Belarus president as informative, constructivePutin describes meeting with Belarus president as informative, constructive
Vladimir Putin said: “In the traditionally friendly and constructive atmosphere we discussed the entire range of topical aspects of Russian-Belarusian cooperation.” In his words, international cooperation was also touched upon during the talks.

Belarus speaks up for Russian interests in Eastern Partnership InitiativeBelarus speaks up for Russian interests in Eastern Partnership Initiative
"Belarus has been persistently stating that Russia's interests must be taken into account within the framework of the implementation of the European Union's Eastern Partnership Initiative,” said Vladimir Makei.

Russia ready to help Belarus join WTORussia ready to help Belarus join WTO
Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei mentioned Russia's readiness to help Belarus join the WTO as specified by the Belarusian-Russian foreign policy action program for 2018-2019.

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