Opinions & Interviews

Putin: Russia and Belarus build relations taking into account each other’s interests

ST PETERSBURG, 18 July (BelTA) – Russia and Belarus build relations taking into account each other’s interests. President of Russia Vladimir Putin made the statement during the plenary session of the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia on 18 July, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Putin stressed: “For us Belarus is the closest ally and a strategic partner, relations with which are built on principles of good neighborhood and taking into account each other’s interests. Our countries step up political and economic interaction within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, which 20th anniversary is marked this year. Our countries take an active part in the work of the Eurasian Economic Union, in the formation of common markets of goods, services, capital, and workforce. Belarus and Russia tightly cooperate in other regional organizations, including the Collective Security Treaty Organization.”

The president remarked that in 2018 Belarus-Russia trade rose by nearly 10% and reached $35.5 billion. “Our country steadily occupies the first place in terms of the size of accumulated direct investments in the Belarusian economy – nearly $4 billion. Belarusian and Russian regions have signed over 350 agreements designed to advance manufacturing cooperation in industrial sector, agriculture, civil engineering, pharmaceutics, and transport,” the head of state said.

Vladimir Putin spoke at length about Belarus-Russia cooperation in forming common cultural and humanitarian space. He pointed out that the nations of the two countries are connected by common history, solid cultural and spiritual ties. “We take pride in common accomplishments in various spheres and remember the hardest trials we’ve had to endure in the past and we’ve recovered from with honor,” he stated.

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