MINSK, 30 June (BelTA) - Belarus and Russia can build such an architecture of relations others will envy, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Minsk on 30 June, BelTA has learned.
Sergey Lavrov conveyed greetings to Aleksandr Lukashenko from Russian President Vladimir Putin, although the heads of state personally met only a few days ago. "Thank you, it's nice anyway," the Belarusian president said.
"He [Vladimir Putin] supports our intensive allied dialogue," the Russian foreign minister added.
"You can be sure of that. I think the Russian president is also absolutely convinced of this," Aleksandr Lukashenko said. "I once voiced this idea. I think you'll support it or rather I'm sure you'll support it. We are smart enough not to incorporate each other, either Russia into Belarus or Belarus into Russia, as the West says we will do. We are two smart independent states that can build such an architecture of our relations that others will envy. We are moving towards this," the Belarusian leader stressed.
It has already been 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states, most of which Aleksandr Lukashenko has been President of Belarus. "All this time they have been talking about some looming takeover or incorporation... 30 years have passed. No incorporation, or absorption. Nothing has been taken away. Frankly, we get from Russia everything that a sovereign independent state needs. Indeed, there were all kinds of situations. We argued as close people do," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
He added that he often discussed this topic with Vladimir Putin. The Belarusian head of state noted that disputes in relations are a positive thing: “I always say: we should be happy about it. No Western country (take the latest summits), no one argues with anyone there. Washington orders, everybody says ‘yes'.”
“Everyone knows that truth emerges from clash of arguments and ideas,” Sergey Lavrov said.
“Yes, we argue sometimes, because we are close people. Indeed, truth emerges from argument and this is how it will always be,” the head of state agreed.
In his words, Belarus and Russia enjoy a special relationship at present. “We live in a challenging time, Sergey Viktorovich. When they fail to heed to diplomats they will have to listen to other people. We are for diplomatic means in the first place. But what can we do at a time of a hybrid? First they started with mass media. Then they silenced diplomats. None of international organizations, including the main one, are effective any longer. What can we do? We have to defend ourselves, to fight back,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The Russian foreign minister recalled the seizure of Russian assets by the West. “They have seized our money,” he noted.
“They have seized the money, imposed sanctions. This is nothing but a hybrid war,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
