SOCHI, 7 February (BelTA) – The one-on-one talks with Russia President Vladimir Putin focused on a wide range of issues, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said. The presidents are now taking part in a broader meeting involving members of the delegations in Sochi on 7 February, BelTA informs.
“Indeed. we have discussed many things, including those from old days when we lived in one state, discussed many historical dates and moments (they are known). We have not just discussed issues, as Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] said, of mutual interest but also issues involving our neighbors, former countries of the Soviet Union, our policy and their policy. We have discussed many things, from old days to now, and decided to continue the conversation with those who is are also engaged in this process,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
In his words, then the leaders will take a pause and continue the talks in a broader format after the remaining members of the Russian delegation arrive in Sochi. “There are other issues on the agenda. As soon as the remaining members of the Russian delegation arrive (the weather seems fine now), we will continue our conversation. In general, we need to discuss and work many issues,” the Belarusian leader concluded.
On behalf of Russia, apart from Vladimir Putin, the talks are attended by Deputy Head of the Russian President's Administration Dmitry Kozak, Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev and Russia's Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev.
The Belarusian delegation includes First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Krutoi, Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Vladimir Semashko, Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich and Chairman of the Belneftekhim state petrochemical concern Andrei Rybakov.
TASS reported earlier that the plane of the Rossiya special flight detachment with a part of the government delegation and journalists of the Russian presidential pool departed from Moscow to Sochi with a two-hour delay. On board the plane are Deputy Prime Minister Aleksei Overchuk, Energy Minister Alexander Novak and First Deputy Minister of Economic Development Mikhail Babich.
The flight from Moscow's Vnukovo Airport was delayed due to bad weather- a snow storm with strong side winds.
The plane carrying some members of the Russian delegation heading to Sochi had to land in Mineralnye Vody.
