The presidents of Russia and Belarus discussed the future directions of their trade and economic cooperation, including their collaboration with a view to create a unified economic space and strengthen the economic foundations of integration processes between their countries. The heads of state paid particular attention to compliance with earlier agreements on the phased transition to market principles in trade and economic cooperation, including in the fuel and energy sphere.
Dmitry Medvedev and Alexander Lukashenko exchanged views on current international issues, including in light of preparations for the next meeting of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and the Summit of the heads of CIS member states.
The presidents of Russia and Belarus discussed the implications of the Georgian aggression against the peaceful population of South Ossetia.
At the meeting they also discussed the schedule for upcoming political contacts until the end of 2008. The heads of state agreed to hold the regular meeting of the Supreme State Council in Moscow in fall 2008 which will discuss issues relating to the further development of cooperation within the Union State, including more intensive industrial cooperation. Dmitry Medvedev and Alexander Lukashenko agreed to complete work on an intergovernmental agreement on a unified air defence system by this time. The agreement will then be signed during the meeting.
The next meeting between the presidents of Russia and Belarus will take place during the CSTO meeting in Pyatigorsk in early September.