MOSCOW, 18 November (BelTA) – Belarus and Russia intend to adopt a program of coordinated actions in the area of foreign policy for 2020-2021 today. The document is being discussed at a joint session of the boards of the Belarusian and Russian ministries of foreign affairs, BelTA has learned.
At the beginning of the session Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei reminded that it was taking place ahead of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Belarus-Russia Union State Foundation Treaty. He stressed that the Belarusian and Russian foreign ministries approach the anniversary with a smoothly operating cooperation mechanism. The sides are guided by the same views or similar ones, including at international platforms.
Vladimir Makei noted that the sides intend to add quality changes to the integration process in anticipation of the 20th anniversary of the treaty's signing. This is why a draft program of further Belarusian and Russian actions to fulfill the Union State Treaty is being discussed. Vladimir Makei stressed that the integration documents being developed provide for a substantial increase in Belarus-Russia cooperation, primarily economic cooperation.
In turn, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov stressed that Belarus and Russia are the closest allies and strategic partners while the Union State of Belarus and Russia is at the forefront of integration processes in the post-Soviet space. Since 2000 the Belarusian and Russian foreign ministries have been passing biannual programs of concerted actions in the area of foreign policy within the framework of the Union State. The programs have proved their effectiveness. The sides will have to pass a similar program for the next two years today.
The agenda of the session also includes the matter of the military and political activity of NATO in Eastern Europe and the coordination of Belarus' and Russia's approaches to relations with the Alliance. The sides are also expected to discuss approaches to the problem of non-proliferation and arms control. Apart from that, Belarus and Russia will determine avenues of their cooperation within the framework of the United Nations Organization in counteracting unilateral measures that violate prerogatives of the UN Security Council.
