/ / News
20.03.2012

Belarus ready for tighter cooperation with Moscow

MOSCOW, 20 March (BelTA) – Belarus is ready for expanding trade and economic cooperation with Moscow, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as he met with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on 20 March.

Alexander Lukashenko said that at the restricted participation meeting with the Moscow Mayor the sides had made strategic arrangements on future prospects of cooperation. “I am thankful for your pragmatic and strategic treatment of these matters. You have agreed not to destroy what has evolved over the years, agreed to cooperation with Moscow at the level of the Belarusian government,” Alexander Lukashenko told Sergei Sobyanin.

Speaking about Moscow-Belarus trade, which grew by over 26% in 2011 to exceed $4.1 billion, the head of state said the sides have not reached a historic high yet. “We once had a trade turnover over $5 billion. Therefore, we have space to grow into,” said the President of Belarus.

He said an agreement had been reached to set up a joint working group at the level of government to promote cooperation. “Within the framework of this group, I invited the group to come to Minsk, we will address all local matters and matters on a larger scale,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

“The most important thing for me was to hear you believe Belarus is not a stranger for Moscow and we will cooperate with you as we did before, finding new steps in cooperation development. We are ready for it and trust me, you will not regret you went for this cooperation,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko. “We do our best for Muscovites to buy our products with pleasure. In turn, we wait for Muscovites with big investments. We will be pleased to do our utmost to expand the cooperation”.

In turn, Sergei Sobyanin remarked Belarus and Moscow are connected by very tight ties that have been built over the years. The Moscow Mayor said he was confident the sides will continue stepping up trade and economic cooperation. As an example he mentioned a major contract signed last year for the delivery of Belarusian trolleybuses to Moscow. In his words, tight ties in the area of culture and education have been preserved.

“We suggest signing a new present time plan of Belarus-Moscow relations for 2013-2016. I think it will be only right if these relations are built at a high level, at the level of the Belarusian government,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

In addition, the Moscow mayor remarked that landmark events will take place this year to underline the serious intention to promote the mutually beneficial ties. In his words, this year Belarus plans to open a new exhibition facility at the National Economy Achievement Exhibition. A large choice of Belarusian products will be put on display there. In October Belarus will host Moscow Days. “I reckon our cooperation will be developing vigorously,” said the Mayor of Moscow.