24.09.2018
Lukashenko: Belarus-Russia talks in Sochi were tough, but fruitful
MINSK (BelTA) – Belarus-Russia talks in Sochi were tough, but bore fruit, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a session in Minsk on 22 September, BelTA learned.
“The bulk of the discussion was held in the form of one-on-one talks with the president [of Russia]. The talks lasted six hours or even longer. To be honest, those talks were not just difficult, but tough. However, they bore fruit,” the head of state said.
“I have invited you to discuss the outcomes of yesterday's talks with Russia across topical issues of our relations,” the president said addressing government members.
Taking into consideration that many topics were discussed in detail by the heads of state face-to-face, Alexander Lukashenko informed the participants of the meeting about the results of the negotiations.
In particular, the presidents discussed Belarus-Russia political cooperation both in the bilateral format and within integration projects, as well as financial matters and provision of loans, loan payment extension for the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant and reduction of the interest rate, cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing industry, transport, supplies of oil and petroleum products, tobacco market and excise duties. The parties also discussed the crossing of the Belarus-Russia border by citizens of third states. A series of military and political issues was discussed during the private talks.
Alexander Lukashenko invited the participants of the session to discuss the way these arrangements will be implemented. First of all, these are arrangements related to the movement of oil products across the border, supplies of heavy petroleum products to Belarus, supplies of gas and payment for gas on the part of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko added.
“The bulk of the discussion was held in the form of one-on-one talks with the president [of Russia]. The talks lasted six hours or even longer. To be honest, those talks were not just difficult, but tough. However, they bore fruit,” the head of state said.
“I have invited you to discuss the outcomes of yesterday's talks with Russia across topical issues of our relations,” the president said addressing government members.
Taking into consideration that many topics were discussed in detail by the heads of state face-to-face, Alexander Lukashenko informed the participants of the meeting about the results of the negotiations.
In particular, the presidents discussed Belarus-Russia political cooperation both in the bilateral format and within integration projects, as well as financial matters and provision of loans, loan payment extension for the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant and reduction of the interest rate, cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing industry, transport, supplies of oil and petroleum products, tobacco market and excise duties. The parties also discussed the crossing of the Belarus-Russia border by citizens of third states. A series of military and political issues was discussed during the private talks.
Alexander Lukashenko invited the participants of the session to discuss the way these arrangements will be implemented. First of all, these are arrangements related to the movement of oil products across the border, supplies of heavy petroleum products to Belarus, supplies of gas and payment for gas on the part of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko added.