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Putin calls for additional effort to increase Belarus-Russia trade

Vladimir Putin

SOCHI, 14 September (BelTA) – Additional efforts are necessary in order to restore the trade turnover to pre-crisis levels and create prerequisites for moving forward. President of Russia Vladimir Putin made the statement during negotiations with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Sochi on 14 September, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Putin noted that Russia remains the largest investor in the Belarusian economy and mentioned the multibillion project to build the Belarusian nuclear power plant as an example. The Russian Federation also accounts for about half of Belarus’ foreign trade. There are many companies with Russian capital in Belarus. “We have very stable and deep manufacturing cooperation in a number of areas and industries. Unfortunately, the coronavirus has had a negative effect on our trade. It is natural and is happening all over the world. This is why I believe we should put more efforts into not only restoring precrisis trade figures and economic relations but creating prerequisites for moving forward,” the Russian president stated.

Vladimir Putin suggested focusing on it during the talks. “I have certain proposals. It seems to me that additional efforts and steps should be exercised at the level of the governments, ministries, government agencies, and even individual enterprises in order to remove the existing barriers and enable conditions for moving forward,” he stated.

The Russian leader mentioned a recent visit of the Russian government delegation led by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to Belarus. Serious and big talks took place. “They were successful across the board, including finance,” Vladimir Putin stated.

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