MINSK, 26 May (BelTA) – As sovereign countries Belarus and Russia can build a most powerful system of relations. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he met with parliamentarians, members of the Constitutional Commission, and representatives of government bodies on 26 May, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I told Putin about it and we agreed on it at the latest meeting. As two independent and sovereign states Belarus and Russia can build such a powerful system of mutual relations and unity that it will be stronger than the system of unity inside Russia itself. And we are moving along this track. We borrow the best from them and they learn something from us. Don't think it is a one-way road. We are as valuable to Russia as Russia is to us.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarus is often intimidated by promises that Russia allegedly wants to incorporate Belarus into the Russian Federation. In his words, Russia does not need such a headache because the merger would be followed by a response of the Western countries. “It would be such a gift for Americans and the collective West if Russia set out to incorporate Belarus into Russia. It would be the end,” he said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said that negotiations on stepping up bilateral cooperation with Russia will continue this Friday. In particular, the advancement of trade and economic cooperation will be discussed as well as the joint counteraction of Western sanctions.