Republic

Alexander Lukashenko: Belarus, Russia should focus on major joint projects now

While in Russia on a working trip President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko held negotiations with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in Sochi on August 19, the press service of the Belarusian head of state told BelTA. The agreement to hold the meeting had been reached during the Russian president’s visit to Belarus in June. At the start of the negotiations, which took place at the residence Bocharov Ruchei, Alexander Lukashenko mentioned “one very important positive component” regarding the fulfilment of the agreements the two presidents had reached in Brest two months before. “I’ve been watching closely the fulfilment of our agreements. Even the smallest ones are fulfilled virtually the next day, the next week. The Belarusian side acts the same way,” said the President of Belarus. Speaking about prospects of the development of the trade and economic relations the Belarusian head of state remarked there are all prerequisites for the Belarusian-Russian mutual trade to exceed $30 billion in 2008. “But nowadays in the usual relations such as economy and politics it is time to take some complex actions within the Union State. The state of affairs pushes us to it, including the conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia, when Russia had to protect its people. I think the time for simple actions and decisions is over. We should act more closely,” said the President of Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko thanked the Russian president for the wisdom he had shown in resolving the armed conflict in South Ossetia. “It was a calm silent response, which led to, I think, a lasting peace in the region. Everything was done very calmly, wisely and beautifully,” remarked the President of Belarus. He pointed out the response of several Western countries and the USA to the tragic events in South Ossetia. Alexander Lukashenko believes it is incorrect to instruct Russia in how it should act to resolve the conflict. Dmitry Medvedev said Russian experts believe it is feasible for the Belarusian-Russian mutual trade to exceed $30 billion this year. “It is a good serious result,” said the Russian president. He suggested discussing several international issues as well as joint steps towards reinforcing the strategic partnership. During a long conversation the heads of state considered a wide range of issues regarding the Belarusian-Russian bilateral relations, topical issues on the international agenda. In particular, the presidents talked about stepping up the trade and economic cooperation, cooperation in power engineering and transit, approaches to ensuring the European security, Union State development, participation of Belarusian builders in erecting Olympic facilities in the Krasnodar Territory. In 2007 trade between Belarus and Russia exceeded $26 billion, with Russia accounting for 49.2% of Belarus’ foreign trade. Belarus ranked sixth among the largest trade partners of Russia. In January-June 2008 the mutual trade exceeded $18 billion, 60.7% up on the same period of 2007. Manufacturing cooperation ties between companies in various industries develop well. Thanks to joint efforts the removal of most mutual economic claims confirmed the ability of the two governments to effectively handle complicated problems. Yet Belarus believes it is time for transition from simple trade relations to a higher form of economic cooperation, namely the implementation of big mutually beneficial projects. The positive experience accumulated through manufacturing cooperation used to set up joint enterprises can be used as an example for other industries to a certain extent. Projects able to unite the significant industrial potentials of Belarus and Russia are necessary. In view of the global competition on international market the approach looks most pragmatic and logical. Continuing ideas spoken out in Brest two months before the presidents discussed the possibility of such cooperation. Belarus is ready to step up contacts with Russia in power engineering and energy transit. In particular, improved utilisation of Belarus’ transit potential is exceptionally beneficial for both the parties. The same applies to the transit of Russian energy resources to Europe. Special attention was paid to topical international issues. Belarus believes the security and counteraction of modern challenges and threats in the Euro-Atlantic region should be handled through an open equivocal dialogue of all interested countries. It is impossible to ensure the European security taking into account interests of some countries and ignoring interests of other ones. Views of Belarus and Russia on the matter coincide. A while ago the Russian Federation put forward an initiative for working out a comprehensive European security treaty. It is supposed to become an effective instrument for ensuring peace in this part of the planet. Belarus supports the initiative. According to the Belarusian side the potential of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation should be used in promoting the initiative.