30.05.2018
Lukashenko, Lavrov discuss agenda for Union State Supreme State Council session
MINSK (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko met with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov in Minsk on 29 May to discuss the preparations for the forthcoming session of the Union State Supreme State Council, BelTA informs.
Alexander Lukashenko warmly welcomed Sergei Lavrov stressing that Belarus is not a foreign country for him. “I am absolutely sure of this. I always cite the cooperation between the ministries of foreign affairs of Belarus and Russia as an example and a role model for all of our departments in Belarus and Russia. You always find mutual understanding. You make plans and execute them, unlike many plans made in different agencies, including the integration ones,” the president noted.
“Today's meeting is very important as it is taking place ahead of the Supreme State Council meeting. We need to take another look at the forthcoming event, to discuss the details, specify the date if necessary. There are no changes regarding the event on Belarus' behalf. If Russia has questions, we are ready to discuss them. I know that you were going through a transition period connected with the formation of the new government. It is a very important moment,” the head of state said.
According to the Belarus president, the second reason why this meeting is important is the need to discuss the international agenda and outline cooperation prospects.
For his part, Sergei Lavrov conveyed greetings and best wishes from Russia President Vladimir Putin to the Belarusian head of state.
The minister noted that he had already held detailed and trust-based talks with Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei. “We discussed the preparations for the session of the Supreme State Council. There are no obstacles that would make us change our approach to the event. Those who are responsible for the organization of the meeting have yet to confirm the date and the agenda. It is important that a very serious strategic document, namely the priorities of the further development of the Union State until 2022 will be submitted for the meeting. And, of course, we agreed that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs will monitor all the work involving other departments of our governments. We considered a number of other issues of our cooperation,” Sergei Lavrov noted.
Belarus-Russia relations in politics, economy, social sector and culture are at a very high level. Russia is Belarus' major trading partner. In 2017, the mutual trade totaled $32.4 billion, up 23.5% from 2016. In January-March 2018, the bilateral trade reached $8.4 billion, up 21% as compared to January-March 2018. In 2017, the Belarusian export of services to Russia exceeded $2.9 billion (up almost 23% to 2016), the import of services from Russia made up $1.46 billion (up 25.5%).
In 2017, Russia accounted for 38.1% of the total foreign investment in Belarus ($3.7 billion). Russia's FDI made up 36.8%, or $2.84 billion, of the total investment attracted to Belarus.
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov is on a working visit to Belarus on 28-29 May. The two states exchange working visits on a regular basis to discuss Belarusian-Russian relations in the foreign political sector. Apart from the talks with Belarus' Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei, Sergei Lavrov is set to meet with students and teachers of the Academy of Public Administration under the aegis of the President of the Republic of Belarus. The two countries are also expected to sign an intergovernmental agreement on certain issues related to the rules of entry of foreign nationals and stateless persons attending international sport events.
Alexander Lukashenko warmly welcomed Sergei Lavrov stressing that Belarus is not a foreign country for him. “I am absolutely sure of this. I always cite the cooperation between the ministries of foreign affairs of Belarus and Russia as an example and a role model for all of our departments in Belarus and Russia. You always find mutual understanding. You make plans and execute them, unlike many plans made in different agencies, including the integration ones,” the president noted.
“Today's meeting is very important as it is taking place ahead of the Supreme State Council meeting. We need to take another look at the forthcoming event, to discuss the details, specify the date if necessary. There are no changes regarding the event on Belarus' behalf. If Russia has questions, we are ready to discuss them. I know that you were going through a transition period connected with the formation of the new government. It is a very important moment,” the head of state said.
According to the Belarus president, the second reason why this meeting is important is the need to discuss the international agenda and outline cooperation prospects.
For his part, Sergei Lavrov conveyed greetings and best wishes from Russia President Vladimir Putin to the Belarusian head of state.
The minister noted that he had already held detailed and trust-based talks with Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei. “We discussed the preparations for the session of the Supreme State Council. There are no obstacles that would make us change our approach to the event. Those who are responsible for the organization of the meeting have yet to confirm the date and the agenda. It is important that a very serious strategic document, namely the priorities of the further development of the Union State until 2022 will be submitted for the meeting. And, of course, we agreed that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs will monitor all the work involving other departments of our governments. We considered a number of other issues of our cooperation,” Sergei Lavrov noted.
Belarus-Russia relations in politics, economy, social sector and culture are at a very high level. Russia is Belarus' major trading partner. In 2017, the mutual trade totaled $32.4 billion, up 23.5% from 2016. In January-March 2018, the bilateral trade reached $8.4 billion, up 21% as compared to January-March 2018. In 2017, the Belarusian export of services to Russia exceeded $2.9 billion (up almost 23% to 2016), the import of services from Russia made up $1.46 billion (up 25.5%).
In 2017, Russia accounted for 38.1% of the total foreign investment in Belarus ($3.7 billion). Russia's FDI made up 36.8%, or $2.84 billion, of the total investment attracted to Belarus.
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov is on a working visit to Belarus on 28-29 May. The two states exchange working visits on a regular basis to discuss Belarusian-Russian relations in the foreign political sector. Apart from the talks with Belarus' Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei, Sergei Lavrov is set to meet with students and teachers of the Academy of Public Administration under the aegis of the President of the Republic of Belarus. The two countries are also expected to sign an intergovernmental agreement on certain issues related to the rules of entry of foreign nationals and stateless persons attending international sport events.