ST PETERSBURG, 24 June (BelTA) – Belarus and Russia will reach the necessary level of cooperation in the near future. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he met with St Petersburg Governor Aleksandr Beglov in St Petersburg on 24 June, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “St Petersburg is one of the main directions of work in the Russian Federation for us. We will do everything not to lose this huge Russian platform. Our trade turnover is growing well, we can increase it. Particularly taking into account the behavior of Western partners as the popular phrase goes. I think during this year and the next one we will reach the level of cooperation and development of Belarus and Russia where we are supposed to be. We will overcome all the hardships and barriers, particularly in economy.”
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, Belarus-St Petersburg trade turnover indicates that, too. The figure grows considerably every year, including in 2022. “We make a lot of goods that St Petersburg needs. At the same time we buy a great deal of your goods. It will always be like that,” he remarked.
Aleksandr Lukashenko went on saying: “You are very close people for us. As I meet with the president of Russia, he and I always talk a lot about St Petersburg. We remember the huge contribution of residents of Leningrad [to Belarus' restoration] after the end of the Great Patriotic War. I may exaggerate a bit but I believe that Belarus and Leningrad [St Petersburg's name during the USSR period] are two locations of the Soviet Union where people suffered most. It is hard to evaluate all of it. Since then we've been building our good relations. As part of one country once. But it can't be helped, that country is gone.”
The head of state underlined that Belarus is resolved to cooperate with St Petersburg across the board: “Starting with lifts and ending with municipal vehicles, which are in demand today. But the key is structures, systems, and the rest. You saw it in Belarus. If something fits you, tell us. As kind and close people, as neighbors we will come and create what you like together in St Petersburg. At the same time we will ask you to share your experience and practices with Belarus.”
