President Lukashenko: It is important for Belarus and Russia to join efforts in the global crisis conditions

MINSK (BelTA) – It is important for Belarus and Russia to join efforts in conditions of the global crisis. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement during the plenary session of the third Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia on 8 June.

The head of state is convinced that Belarus and Russia will be able to continue searching for new contact points in various spheres, provided the economies develop rapidly. “There is no doubt that the establishment of the Union State of Belarus and Russia has allowed us to greatly increase the trade turnover and implement a number of large-scale joint programs and projects. The Union State has secured mutual benefits and has become the platform to advance relations in many other areas,” remarked Alexander Lukashenko.

“However, I am forced to admit that instead of joining forces in a time of crisis we try to survive on our own. Why? The President of Russia also believes it is a question of paramount importance. Let's be together in these conditions,” said the Belarus President. “On the one hand, we take top-level measures to create a common market, while on the other hand, we suffer. Russia often protects only its own national interests when responding to global challenges. Belarus and Russia should not be afraid of each other. We are mutually complementary in many things, maybe even in all things. We should take advantage of this fact. The President of Russia raised the point today as well.”

“Despite many years of integration processes we have yet to fully enable equal conditions for Belarusian and Russian economic operators. Such an accomplishment could increase industrial output, create hundreds of thousands of jobs, and enable new mutually beneficial projects. By the way, we are signing about 20 projects at this time and they are designed to address the problem,” stressed the head of state.