Opinions & Interviews

MFA: Belarus-Russia relations may serve as a model of equal cooperation

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo courtesy of TASS

MOSCOW, 18 January (BelTA) - Relations between Belarus and Russia can serve as a model of equal cooperation, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said commenting on the upcoming working visit of Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to Minsk on 18-19 January, BelTA has learned.

“The relations between Russia and Belarus may serve as a model for building equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, while the level of cooperation within the Union State is a guide for other integration organizations in the post-Soviet space,” reads the statement of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The main purpose of the upcoming visit is Sergey Lavrov’s participation in a joint meeting of the collegiums of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and Russia. “Cooperation between the diplomatic departments of the two countries in implementing the provisions of the program of coordinated actions in the foreign policy of the member states of the Union State Treaty for 2022-2023 will be considered,” the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. “The parties will discuss cooperation in foreign policy planning, coordination of activities with regard to the EU, NATO and the Council of Europe, joint work in the OSCE. Particular attention will be paid to cooperation on multilateral platforms in the area of arms control, as well as counteraction to the West's policy of politicizing international economic and human rights  organizations.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that Belarus is Russia's closest ally and strategic partner. “Our countries are bound by longstanding traditions of friendship and mutual assistance, cultural and spiritual community, joint historical past and prospects for the future. Russia and Belarus fruitfully cooperate within the Union State in a wide range of areas, including equal rights of citizens of the two countries in social security, access to education and healthcare,” the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

“Our countries have common or close positions on many international issues, cooperate closely in the CSTO, the EAEU, the CIS, the UN, the OSCE and other universal and regional organizations, and jointly promote important initiatives for both countries,” the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. “Joint meetings of the collegiums of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Russia and Belarus and consultations between the heads of the relevant departments have been held annually since 2000 to compare notes on the topical areas of cooperation. They are effective mechanisms for synchronizing the efforts of the two countries on the world stage."

“In the conditions of the sanctions war unleashed by the collective West, Russia and Belarus are taking joint steps to counteract unilateral restrictions and strengthen the financial, economic and technological sovereignty of the Union State, develop industrial cooperation, successfully implement import substitution programs, including through the launch of joint investment projects,” the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

“The joint regional military force deployed in Belarus reliably protect the western borders of the Union State and the CSTO and hold back the collective forces of NATO, the military potential of which is increasing in the neighboring countries,” the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

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