News & Events in Belarus

KIEV, 21 July (BelTA) – There is a great potential for advancing cooperation between Belarus and Ukraine. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement during negotiations with Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko on 21 July, BelTA has learned.

A Belarusian-Ukrainian business forum took place in Kiev on 21 July at the time of the top-level negotiations. Contracts worth $45 million have already been signed. “I think we will reach $100 million by the end of the day. Because the potential of our countries is great,” Alexander Lukashenko was convinced.

Alexander Lukashenko underlined the close and friendly nature of relations between the nations of Belarus and Ukraine. “We, Russians, and Ukrainians represent the core of the civilization in this part of the European continent,” said the head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that he had visited the Holodomor museum before the talks. The guide talked about the attitude of Belarusians towards Ukraine residents at the time of Holodomor [mass famine in Ukraine in 1932-1933]: Ukrainians went to Belarus while Belarusians shared with them the little food they had. “It is the call of the ancestors, which tells us that we should help each other, we should always be together. It is the most important thing. It is what makes the foundation of our relations. Contracts are less important,” stressed the Belarusian head of state. “I am grateful for your paying most serious attention to the matter. You placed it into the foundation of our relations. The rest will stem from it.”

The Belarus president added that the governments of the two countries had done a lot to implement the agreements that were reached during the meeting with Petro Poroshenko in April 2017.

“These regular meetings are always beneficial to the development of our economies among other things. You can count on us. If we know how to make and can do something for Ukraine, we will,” assured the Belarus president.

In turn, Petro Poroshenko spoke warmly about the friendly attitude of the Belarusian head of state to Ukraine. Petro Poroshenko expressed interest in advancing cooperation with Belarus in various areas, including economy, culture, and social affairs. “I am grateful for your bringing a large delegation. I expect that today we will sketch out new formats, a new roadmap, new steps and waymarks that will improve our already effective cooperation,” added the Ukraine president.