NUCLEAR POWER IN BELARUS AND WORLDWIDE
MINSK, 19 December (BelTA) - Strengthening of Belarusian-Russian relations has become a natural response to the changing situation in the world, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Minsk on 19 December, BelTA has learned.
The head of state welcomed the Russian delegation in the hospitable Belarusian capital. “You haven't been here for quite a long time due to certain circumstances. You are always welcome here. A break in visits to Minsk has not prevented us from staying in constant contact. Even our so-called Western partners were very concerned about our frequent meetings. We met regularly both in the Russian Federation and at international venues,” the Belarusian leader said to Vladimir Putin.
In his words, the governments of the two countries have been actively working together, and many meetings take place at the regional and business level. Stable growth in trade and the resolution of many issues that used to hinder cooperation testify to the fact.
“Strengthening of Belarusian-Russian relations has become a natural response to the changing situation in the world, where we are constantly tested for our strength. I believe that despite some rough edges, we still find effective responses to various challenges and threats,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
According to him, the momentous decisions on closer integration between Belarus and Russia once again demonstrate to the entire world that only together it is possible to overcome pandemics, crises, or sanctions.
The talks between Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin began with a meeting featuring delegations. The leaders of the two countries did not sit opposite each other, as usually happens during such negotiations, but next to each other. This move showed a special symbolism, emphasizing the friendly and allied nature of the Belarusian-Russian relations.
A representative delegation of high-ranking Russian officials arrived in Belarus on 19 December. It included Deputy Prime Minister Aleksei Overchuk, Russian President Aide Yuri Ushakov, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Russian president's spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov, Director of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugaev, General Directors of Roscosmos and Rosatom Yuri Borisov and Alexey Likhachev, Deputy Finance Minister Alexey Sazonov.
Attending the talks on the behalf of the Belarusian government were Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko and First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov, heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defense Ministry, Industry Ministry, Transport and Communications Ministry, Finance Ministry, Energy Ministry, chairman of the State Military Industrial Committee and chairman of the State Customs Committee.
Delegations from both sides also included Ambassadors to Moscow and Minsk Dmitry Krutoi and Boris Gryzlov.
