News & Events in Belarus

Belarus president in favor of resolving problems bearing future in mind

MOSCOW, 29 December (BelTA) – It is necessary to continue working to resolve existing problems on the Belarusian-Russian agenda. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement during negotiations with President of Russia Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on 29 December, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian head of state thanked the Russian leader for extending the invitation on New Year’s eve. “I was joking that we are fed up with each other. Maybe we will never be fed up with each other because there are matters that need discussing. It is our job. Indeed, last time we agreed that we are going to seriously talk about our future coexistence in this difficult world. It is unavoidable because many problems should be resolved bearing future in mind,” stated the Belarusian leader.

The Belarus president noted that after the meeting on 25 December the sides had been working on matters concerning the emerging bilateral group and on the topics that needed to be discussed so that they would no longer stand in the way of integration. “We’ve set up a group similar to yours. We’ve made similar decisions on the composition and the leadership of the group. I think that after the Christmas festivities we are ready to work just like Russians are. Moreover, all the matters are stipulated by the Belarus-Russia Union State Treaty. We recounted them last time. It is good that we are about to begin resolving these issues at last,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.

At the beginning of the meeting Vladimir Putin also remarked that it was the second meeting with the Belarusian head of state over a short period of time. “As we’ve agreed, we are setting up a working group to further advance our ties in economy and other areas. Following your proposal we will work on guiding the development of our plans in the construction of the Union State. I suggest we should once again talk about it today,” said the Russian president. “We will compare notes on how work continues in the areas we agreed to put more effort in during the previous meeting.”

The heads of state offered New Year greetings to each other. Alexander Lukashenko said: “I would like to congratulate you, your friends and family on the New Year. I would like to congratulate our Russian brothers on this most desired holiday.”

In turn, Vladimir Putin offered his New Year greetings to the Belarusian head of state and Belarusian citizens. He wished them happiness and luck in the new year.

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