MOSCOW, 3 October (BelTA) – Closer integration between Belarus and the Russian Federation will provide an effective response to economic pressure from unfriendly countries, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said as he hosted Belarusian counterpart Roman Golovchenko in Moscow on 3 October, BelTA has learned.
"The Russian government attaches particular importance to the efforts to strengthen friendly, partnership and allied relations with fraternal Belarus. I am convinced that the development of integration in the Union State will also provide an effective response to the new challenges associated with the sanctions pressure from unfriendly states, comparable to an all-out economic war," Mikhail Mishustin said.
"The parties are taking coordinated measures to protect the economic security and technological sovereignty of Belarus and Russia," he stressed.
The Russian prime minister stated that, despite the difficult economic situation and crisis in the global economy, the trade between Russia and Belarus demonstrates a steady growth. "Last year it reached a record high of $38.5 billion. In January-July of this year it rose by another 5% (year-on-year) up to $22 billion. Belarusian exports to Russia are growing at a faster pace, by a quarter over the same period a year prior," he said.