Alexander Lukashenko: Belarus and Russia need to consolidate positive trends

Belarus and Russia need to consolidate positive trends and ensure the growth of trade relations, including, by eliminating mutual barriers and creating a competitive environment. This was stressed by President Alexander Lukashenko during the session of the Supreme State Council of the Union State.

According to the Belarusian President, the key to the success of integration is interregional ties. At the level of regions and municipalities about 300 agreements have already been signed. Joint forums of the regions of the two countries are held regularly. The next one will be held in October in Mogilev. The next meeting of the two presidents will take place there as well. In his speech Alexander Lukashenko also touched upon the topic of border control on the Belarusian-Russian border.

Shortly before the summit, the leaders of the two countries held two-hour negotiations in a narrow format. The agenda had nine items. Five of them were adopted immediately. Only three key documents were considered in detail. One of them outlines the priority directions of the development of the Union State for the next 5 years. It spells out the activities for removing barriers, coordinated industrial policy, and formation of a single fuel market. The two leaders also signed the programme of actions in foreign policy. It is aimed at maintaining the policy of strengthening cooperation within the CIS and the CSTO. The presidents also approved the Union State prize in science and technology, which will become an incentive for scientists of the two countries.

The Supreme State Council once again confirmed that while controversial issues sometimes arise, they can be resolved in a spirit of mutual understanding and compromise. According to Russian political analysts, the presidents of Belarus and Russia are like two brothers, and the Union State is a strong family.