Events

MINSK, 8 June (BelTA) – Belarus Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov emphasized the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership between the two states in the face of common challenges, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the meetings between the foreign ministers of Belarus and Russia.

During the meetings in narrow and extended formats Vladimir Makei and Sergei Lavrov discussed the key areas of Belarus-Russia cooperation, further steps to promote integration in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), and the bilateral cooperation on the international arena. “The parties emphasized the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership between Belarus and Russia in the face of common challenges and threats,” the press service said.

Vladimir Makei and Sergei Lavrov noted that in 2015 the Belarus-Russia political dialogue has been developing at a high pace. They also talked over the main bilateral events to be held in H2 of 2015 and the organization of meetings at high and the highest levels during the forums to be held within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and the Eurasian Economic Union.

The ministers discussed the organization of the second Belarus-Russia regional forum that will take place in Veliky Novgorod in September 2015. They also expressed satisfaction with the implementation of Belarus’ initiative to hold the BRICS Seventh Summit in the Russian city of Ufa in an extended format with the participation of the heads of states that are members of the EEU, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and Turkmenistan.

Vladimir Makei and Sergei Lavrov traditionally paid attention to the current state and results of the bilateral cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and Russia. They agreed to hold a joint session of the Belarusian and Russian foreign ministries in October 2015 and to adopt a program of coordinated foreign policy activities for 2016 and 2017 within the framework of the Belarus-Russia Union State.

“The parties were pleased to note that Belarus’ and Russia’s positions regarding the most important issues on the international agenda have become closer. The ministers also talked over the achievements in promoting mutual interests of Belarus and Russia in international organizations and interstate associations,” the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs added.

Besides, Vladimir Makei and Sergei Lavrov discussed the situation in Ukraine and exchanged views on the results of the Eastern Partnership Summit held in Riga in May 2015.