MINSK, 11 November (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko had a telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko on 10 November on the initiative of the Ukrainian side, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader.
The two heads of state talked over the agenda of bilateral relations, and also trade and economic cooperation prospects. It was emphasized that progress was made in the work on removing barriers in mutual trade. The intergovernmental mixed commission, which sat in Minsk on 10 November, was named a perfect platform to discuss problem issues and promising areas of cooperation.
The Presidents discussed the results of the previous meeting and spoke for the further productive collaboration in building up trade and economic relations. The parties stressed that, despite the recent decline in bilateral trade, there were positive changes that should be bolstered further.
Alexander Lukashenko and Petro Poroshenko agreed on a face-to-face meeting. The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and Ukraine have been instructed to set the date for the summit meeting which should take place before the end of the year.
Apart from that, Petro Poroshenko offered apologies to the Belarusian leader over the Belavia incident and added that those guilty had been punished. The heads of state agreed that the relevant agencies will hold consultations on cooperation in security in order to avoid such incidents in the future.
The Presidents discussed the work done to promote peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. Belarus has created all necessary conditions for the trilateral contact group. In this respect Petro Poroshenko expressed gratitude to Belarus for assistance. It was noted that Belarus will continue doing everything possible to help bring peace back to Ukraine.
Ukraine's President also touched upon the need to support a number of Ukrainian initiatives in the international arena, and in the UN in particular. The Belarus President stressed that all the raised issues would be thoroughly studied taking into account the current level of bilateral relations, the situation in the region and worldwide, and Belarus' firm determination to address all the problems in a peaceful and diplomatic manner.
