MINSK, 4 November (BelTA) - Belarus is not just the closest ally for Russia. It is its brotherly country and nation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the online meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Belarus-Russia Union State on 4 November, BelTA has learned.
The Russian leader stressed that Belarus is not just a good neighbor and closest ally for Russia. The cooperation is based on the principles of mutual understanding, support and respect for each other's interests. “It is a truly brotherly nation. We are doing our best to keep it that way,” Vladimir Putin said.
He noted that Russia and Belarus have a lot in common. “We are bound by centuries-old fraternal friendship, history, spiritual and moral values, and often family kinship. Our peoples have always helped each other in difficult times. We defended freedom and independence together. We fought shoulder to shoulder against external enemies, worked hand in hand for the welfare and prosperity of our peoples,” the Russian leader said.
As for the construction of the Union State, Vladimir Putin stated that over a quarter of a century, the parties have done a lot for the common economic space. Even amid a pandemic, the economic cooperation has been posting positive dynamics, and relations have been developing in various areas.
“In our integration efforts, we are not going to stop at what has already been achieved,” Vladimir Putin said. The main guidelines to implement the Union State Treaty in 2021-2023 and 28 sectoral Union State programs will contribute to further work. They are aimed at developing a coordinated macroeconomic strategy, introducing uniform principles of taxation, implementing a common policy in the financial and banking sectors, in industry and agriculture. They also provide for coordinated regulation of the joint markets for oil, gas, electricity and transport services.
“I just mentioned the oil and gas markets. We keep these issues under constant review. They are extremely important and often lead to disputes and heated discussions. Nevertheless, we have made very serious progress in this area as well. You know for yourselves what is going on in the world oil and gas markets today,” the Russian president.
