Opinions & Interviews

Putin: Belarus is Russia’s main partner

Photo courtesy of the press service of the Russian president

MOSCOW, 24 August (BelTA) – Russia and Belarus have special relations and Belarus is Russia’s number one partner, Russian President Vladimir Putin said as he met with Mikhail Babich who was appointed Russia’s Ambassador to Belarus. The meeting records were posted on the Kremlin website, BelTA has learned.

“You are going to work in Belarus. I believe I do not have to tell you about the importance of cooperation with Belarus, our main ally and partner, and about the significant role of this work for Russia. It is not just a neighboring country. This is, first of all, a country with which we have special relations and historical, ethnic, language and economic bonds,” Vladimir Putin said addressing the new ambassador.

The Russian president noted that Belarus is member of the CSTO and the EAEU. “Apart from that, we are building a totally new format – the Union State. So there are many areas of work. You will do not only diplomatic work, but also deal with economic matters representing Russia’s interests as a special envoy,” Vladimir Putin added.

In turn, Mikhail Babich noted that the Russian president set a task to increase the bilateral trade up to $50 billion in the nearest future. “Together with our colleagues from the Russian government, the presidential administration and Belarusian partners we will do our best to implement the arrangements reached by the heads of state. The powers of the special presidential envoy for trade and economic cooperation with Belarus that you granted will certainly increase the efficiency of this work,” Mikhail Babich said.

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