“For many centuries now our people have been and remain good neighbours who live in peace, friendship and harmony,” reads the message from the head of state. “We value our traditions of close cooperation and mutual assistance which have withstood various tests, including the test of time. This year we will celebrate the anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders by Soviet soldiers and partisans, one of the brightest examples of our cooperation. Sixty-five years ago our people fought shoulder to shoulder for the freedom of Belarus and gave us immeasurable acts of heroism and selflessness.
Today the bonds of brotherhood between Russians and Belarusians, common cultural traditions, and spiritual values form a solid basis for further promotion of integration and cooperation. The alliance and good-neighbourly relations between our two countries contribute to the fruitful development of political, economic, trade and investment ties, and effective cooperation in international affairs.”