Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 10 March (BelTA) – Belarus has never misled Russia and has always been honest and open in matters of cooperation. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko pointed out the fact as he met with Alexander Mikhailov, Governor of Russia’s Kursk Oblast, on 10 March, BelTA has learned.

“We are brothers in blood. It is god’s will that we should be friends and build our integration relations this way,” noted the Belarusian head of state. “We have never misled Russians. If we went for a union — a military political one or an economic one — we did it openly and honestly”.

According to the Belarusian leader, in its time it was interregional cooperation that saved Belarus-Russia relations. “It is probable that the tight integration between the two countries would not exist without interregional cooperation,” noted the President.

Alexander Lukashenko pointed out positive dynamics in relations between Belarus and Kursk Oblast. In 2014 when the economic situation was complicated the bilateral trade grew by more than 10% from 2013 to reach $250 million. “It is like the average trade turnover with republics of the former Soviet Union,” noted the Belarusian leader.

According to the President, the two sides trade in all the products that individuals and the production sector need. “But, while building our relations with future in mind, I think we should get Belarusian and Kursk enterprises more tightly intertwined. They should be part of a single manufacturing chain. Although I should say that we have learned how to do that. We have many joint ventures that operate successfully,” said the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko said he believes that there are many areas that Belarus and Kursk Oblast can explore to bolster the productivity of joint efforts many times over. “Our dialogue with the Kursk Oblast administration is most active and productive,” stressed the Belarusian head of state. He suggested discussing joint projects in detail. “Getting our agreements implemented is the key part. If we come to terms, we will honor our commitments,” assured the Belarus President.

In turn, the Kursk Oblast Governor said he was also confident that the bilateral trade needs more momentum. He pointed out that cooperation with Belarus is on the rise. The number of enterprises, higher education establishments in Kursk Oblast, which are willing to take part in bilateral contacts and advance cooperation further, grows.