Events

MINSK, 15 April (BelTA) – President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko talked to President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych over the phone on 15 April, the press service of the Belarusian leader told BelTA.

The heads of state noted the successful development of trade and economic relations between the two countries. In 2012 Belarus-Ukraine trade reached $7.9 billion, 27% up from 2011, with Belarus’ trade surplus at $3.3 billion. Large-scale bilateral projects in the area of fuel and energy industry, manufacturing cooperation, in particular, the joint assembly of MTZ, Gomselmash, MAZ vehicles and other ones, are being implemented successfully.

The presidents also touched upon certain problems that exist in the bilateral relations. An agreement in principle was reached to hold a top-level meeting in May to discuss these matters.

Apart from that, Alexander Lukashenko and Viktor Yanukovych talked over the public initiative to start a Belarus-Ukraine-Russia social movement. This matter will be discussed at the meeting of the presidents, too.