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Lukashenko: The tax maneuver was not discussed with Putin in Sochi
SOCHI, 15 February (BelTA) – The so-called tax maneuver was not discussed during meetings with President of Russia Vladimir Putin in Sochi. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement while talking to mass media, BelTA has learned.
The Belarusian head of state said: “We were just saying that we will go outside, reporters will meet us, and I feel this question will definitely be asked as if it was the most important problem in Belarus-Russia relations. It does exist. But I’d like to say it exceptionally sincerely and honestly: I don’t think we even said this word in these three days.”
Yet Alexander Lukashenko noted that they would talk about this topic in Belarusian-Russian relations. “We are going to discuss the tax maneuver, but apart from the tax maneuver we have many other problems, which no one else can resolve but us. At least we should give a nudge to that effect. And we are doing just that,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.
Alexander Lukashenko reminded that during meetings with the Russian head of state before the new year an agreement was reached to revise relations of the two countries starting from the bottom – matters concerning various avenues of cooperation. “Today our cooperation in humanitarian affairs was revised. Because these matters get little attention from the presidents. We talk more about finance, economy, production sector, shipments, export and import, and less about humanitarian cooperation. And people cannot live without it at all. And problems, which need to be addressed, are left unresolved,” the head of state noted.
Earlier Sochi hosted a meeting involving members of the government in charge of overseeing economy and finance. “They spent some time discussing problems eye to eye. So did we after that,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.
Alexander Lukashenko also mentioned a previously reached agreement with Vladimir Putin to have a look at the advancement of relations within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, to take a look at what has not been done over the years. “We sincerely say to each other that we will not live forever. We will pass away one day. What are we going to leave to our children? How will they continue our policy? It cannot but worry us as politicians,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
On the whole, the sides discussed an entire bunch of problems and issues in various formats. “Before making serious steps in the development of the Union State, we should not only know, we have to soak it up as the presidents. This is why we’ve been working on various matters for these three days,” stressed the Belarusian leader.
Alexander Lukashenko also thanked Vladimir Putin for the invitation to participate in the meeting involving the presidents of Iran and Turkey, who had taken part in a trilateral summit on Syria in Sochi the day before. “It was helpful to attend the meeting of the presidents. Nearly the entire international agenda was discussed. Each president presented his point of view,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
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