Mikhail Mishustin
MOSCOW, 7 April (BelTA) - The official visit of Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin to Moscow is another confirmation of the special nature of Belarus-Russia relations, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said during his meeting with Aleksandr Turchin on 7 April, BelTA has learned.
"It is important that you are paying the first foreign visit as head of government to the Russian Federation. This is another proof of the special nature of relations between Russia and Belarus," Mikhail Mishustin said welcoming the Belarusian delegation led by the prime minister.
The Russian prime minister described Aleksandr Turchin's official visit as very timely. "On 13 March, Moscow hosted the negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko. Strategic agreements were reached to enhance cooperation within the Union State [of Belarus and Russia]. It is the task of our governments to ensure the clear and prompt implementation of decisions made at the highest level," he noted.
According to Mikhail Mishustin, the two countries give priority attention to strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation. "Last year, mutual trade grew by 6% year-on-year, reaching new record high level: RUB 4.5 trillion, or nearly Br163 billion," he said.
"Despite the intensification of illegal sanctions against Russia and Belarus, we have shifted financial settlements to national currencies to protect our trade and mutual investments from negative external conditions. Over 95% of financial transactions are now conducted in national currencies. We are also accelerating the implementation of joint cooperative projects in manufacturing industry. Together we are creating competitive products, primarily with high added value, and strengthening the technological and industrial sovereignty of our Union State. New initiatives in high-tech areas are also being developed," Mikhail Mishustin stated.
He stressed that these initiatives involve projects in artificial intelligence, digital ecosystems, big data usage and unmanned automated systems. "I am convinced that the introduction of digital services will undoubtedly contribute to the development of national economies and significantly improve the quality of life for our people, which is very important," the Russian prime minister emphasized.
Mikhail Mishustin also noted that the parties traditionally pay special attention to humanitarian cooperation. "As far as cultural cooperation is concerned, this year Moscow will play host to the international music competition Intervision. Certainly, we invite our Belarusian friends to participate," he added.
"It is important that you are paying the first foreign visit as head of government to the Russian Federation. This is another proof of the special nature of relations between Russia and Belarus," Mikhail Mishustin said welcoming the Belarusian delegation led by the prime minister.
The Russian prime minister described Aleksandr Turchin's official visit as very timely. "On 13 March, Moscow hosted the negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko. Strategic agreements were reached to enhance cooperation within the Union State [of Belarus and Russia]. It is the task of our governments to ensure the clear and prompt implementation of decisions made at the highest level," he noted.
According to Mikhail Mishustin, the two countries give priority attention to strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation. "Last year, mutual trade grew by 6% year-on-year, reaching new record high level: RUB 4.5 trillion, or nearly Br163 billion," he said.
"Despite the intensification of illegal sanctions against Russia and Belarus, we have shifted financial settlements to national currencies to protect our trade and mutual investments from negative external conditions. Over 95% of financial transactions are now conducted in national currencies. We are also accelerating the implementation of joint cooperative projects in manufacturing industry. Together we are creating competitive products, primarily with high added value, and strengthening the technological and industrial sovereignty of our Union State. New initiatives in high-tech areas are also being developed," Mikhail Mishustin stated.
He stressed that these initiatives involve projects in artificial intelligence, digital ecosystems, big data usage and unmanned automated systems. "I am convinced that the introduction of digital services will undoubtedly contribute to the development of national economies and significantly improve the quality of life for our people, which is very important," the Russian prime minister emphasized.
Mikhail Mishustin also noted that the parties traditionally pay special attention to humanitarian cooperation. "As far as cultural cooperation is concerned, this year Moscow will play host to the international music competition Intervision. Certainly, we invite our Belarusian friends to participate," he added.
"In May we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. This is our common sacred holiday. We deeply cherish it, carefully preserve the memory of the heroism of frontline soldiers and home front workers and, of course, will pass it on to future generations of peoples of both Russia and Belarus," the Russian prime minister said.
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