MINSK, 21 November (BelTA) – Strengthening of mutually beneficial trade relations are in the interests of Belarus and Russia, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at a joint session of the board of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the collegium of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 21 November, BelTA has learned.
“It is in our common interests to anchor positive trends and secure further development of mutually beneficial trade relations,” Vladimir Makei said.
According to him, the current Belarus-Russia ministerial meeting is another evidence of steadily developing relations between the two countries in all the areas, including politics, economy, energy, transport, culture and the social sector.
“Regular contacts at the supreme and high levels, various intergovernmental cooperation formats, including ministerial, joint commissions and inter-sectoral working groups help us maintain a permanent bilateral dialogue to resolve a wide range of issues,” the minister said.
Regional cooperation has acquired a new impulse as well. A total of 76 new cooperation agreements and contracts worth more than $500 million were signed At the Fifth Forum of the Regions of Belarus and Russia. "Economic cooperation between the two states is also vibrant and looks positive. This is a permanent priority for Belarus,” Vladimir Makei said.