MOSCOW, 22 April (BelTA) – Belarus-Russia relations are developing successfully. President of Russia Vladimir Putin made the statement as he met with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Moscow on 22 April, BelTA has learned.
The Russian leader noted that during the negotiations they will have to discuss a broad range of matters: fundamental things relating to bilateral relations and cooperation in multilateral formats. “But first despite all the hot-button topics we will surely talk about today, I would like to note that our relations are developing successfully. Despite the pandemic and a certain decrease in trade turnover, the trade volume is still nearly $30 billion today. I am convinced that everything will be restored in full,” Vladimir Putin stated.
The Russian president said that both sides continue working on improving the legal framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. “Indeed, we will have to do a lot, but nevertheless, a lot has been accomplished. Particularly regarding the social sphere. Our citizens enjoy equal rights in the social sphere: pensions, employment, healthcare. A lot of positive things have been accomplished already,” he stressed.
Vladimir Putin went on saying that the sides will have to compare notes and come to an agreement on a number of topics. “The overall work proceeds rather well across the board. Our teams are working quite effectively. I mean the government team and teams representing the administrations and, as we can see now, teams representing the intelligence services,” he noted.
In his words, Belarus and Russia are also busy advancing interaction in the spheres of military technology cooperation and security “in the broadest sense of the word”.