MOSCOW, 23 December (BelTA) - Possible appointment of political “heavyweight” Boris Gryzlov as Russia's ambassador to Belarus will mean the upgrade of the status of relations between the two countries, Leonid Kalashnikov, the chairman of the State Duma Committee on the CIS, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots told the media on the sidelines of the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia in Moscow, BelTA has learned.
Leonid Kalashnikov confirmed that the State Duma is discussing the appointment of Boris Gryzlov as ambassador to Belarus but the final decision will be made by the president of the Russian Federation. "If we talk about Boris Gryzlov, he is really a ‘heavyweight' and his appointment will be off the beaten track,” the MP said.
"This is a very good sign, because the appointment of such a ‘heavyweight' with such experience not only in terms of negotiations but also life experience, testifies to the importance Russia attaches to this position. This is not just an ambassador, a diplomat who will present credentials or attend some events. I think everyone understands this. This is a very positive sign," he stressed.
"This is the raising of the status of relations between Russia and Belarus," Leonid Kalashnikov said.
