MOSCOW, 15 March (BelTA) - The talks between Belarus and Russia demonstrated the unity of the two countries in the face of external challenges, Oleg Matveichev, a member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, said during a video conference to discuss the results of the recent meeting of the presidents of Belarus and Russia and the negotiations between the two governments, BelTA has learned.
"In my opinion, the main result of the meeting was a demonstration of unity and active work to strengthen the unity in this difficult situation. Someone, perhaps, was hoping for some contradictions in the relations between Russia and Belarus. But in fact, these hopes are in vain," Oleg Matveichev emphasized.
In his opinion, Belarus and Russia should work together to respond to the Western sanctions. "We understand that Belarus is a major agricultural producer in Europe," the Russian MP said. "Given the rising food prices (we see price hike and emptying shelves in Europe), this resource of Belarus is becoming very valuable."
Russia has energy which Belarus needs. "I think that the parties have full agreement on this too," Oleg Matveichev said.
In turn, former member of the State Duma and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, the leader of the Russian Union of Afghan War Veterans Frants Klintsevich noted that it is not only agriculture that makes the Belarusian economy resilient. "My colleague said that Belarus is an agrarian country. Indeed it is. It cooperates very closely with Russia supplying its food to Russian regions, especially to Moscow and Muscovites are grateful to Belarusians for high-quality farm products. But Belarus is also a highly intelligent and economically developed country," he said.
Frants Klintsevich also stated that Russia has imposed some restrictions on cooperation with Belarusian enterprises, especially in the defense sector. "I think that these restrictions will be lifted soon, and Russia will make use of the high-quality products that the Belarusian industry creates today. This will help us level out almost all the difficulties and maintain employment. Thanks to Russia's energy resources Belarus will not have problems with them in the foreseeable future," he stressed.
