
MINSK, 19 December (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko and President of Russia Vladimir Putin have noted that negotiations of the two leaders with larger government delegations in Minsk had been productive. The relevant statement was made at a restricted-attendance meeting of the leaders, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “We've just summed up results of our work during the meeting with larger delegations and found out that we've slightly moved away from government matters. But we repaid our debt and discussed the entire range of matters concerning Belarusian-Russian relations. Social and economic matters. Not because it is fitting but I sincerely thank you for finding the time. It is evening already. But we've discussed all the matters. Things will be easier from now on. Thank you very much. I think people will appreciate the decisions we've made here for today and for long-term future.”

In turn, Vladimir Putin noted that people will evaluate the decisions made in the course of the talks by looking at results of joint efforts. “But on the whole, if we consider a 30% increase in trade turnover last year, those are concrete things. Those are jobs and salaries for people. This year we can reach $40 billion. It is a large, serious volume,” the Russian president said.

Vladimir Putin also pointed that the two countries are involved in manufacturing cooperation schemes in various areas. They cooperate in agriculture, including trade in agricultural products. “Those are key things after all. Manufacturing cooperation. It seems to me it is very important. Shipping, transportation… On the whole, it seems to me that today's meeting was very productive,” the Russian leader stated.