Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 12 March (BelTA) – The results of the presidential election in Russia will not influence relations with Belarus, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Belarus Alexander Surikov said in an interview with ONT TV Channel on 11 March, BelTA informs.

The ambassador believes that the results of the Russian presidential election will by no means affect Belarus-Russia relations. “We have long-standing fraternal relations. We set our priorities a long time ago. We established the Union State and are moving forward within its framework,” the Russian diplomat remarked. He called the Belarus-Russia Union State the most successful and advanced integration association in the post-Soviet area. The two countries are allies not only in economy, like in the Eurasian Economic Union, but also in international affairs, defense, military and technology issues, healthcare, education, and culture. In terms of the integration process, the Union State is much more advanced than any other integration association in the post-Soviet area, Ambassador Alexander Surikov stated.

“There are ‘sparks’ between us sometimes, especially when it comes to economic relations. There is nothing serious, however, that could influence the format of our relations. The election can only strengthen every format of our friendship,” he added.

The ambassador also commented on the latest disputes regarding the exports of Belarusian products to Russia. In his words, such “sparks” should be put out through “holding joint consultations of Russian and Belarusian agencies and reaching a consensus on certain matters concerning the quality of products”. Ambassador Alexander Surikov also said he prefers Belarusian dairy products, for instance, cheeses which do not contain palm or soybean oil.

The 2018 Russian presidential election is scheduled for 18 March.