It is the first international visit by Alexander Lukashenko since his re-election as the head of the Belarusian state.
The talks began in a face-to-face format, and then continued with the participation of delegations.
The agenda includes key aspects of the further development of the strategic partnership and alliance between Russia and Belarus, the outlook for their integration cooperation within the Union State, as well as current international issues.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Lukashenko, I am delighted to see you.
It is gratifying that you have come to Russia on your first international visit after your re-election as President of Belarus. On the other hand, this seems logical because relations between Russia and Belarus are special, allied and truly fraternal.
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We always say this, but in the context of your official visit it would be appropriate to reiterate that there are historical ties between our nations and family ties between many of our people. Our relations are currently developing in a way that many other countries could see as an example to emulate in the spheres of the economy, national security and cooperation on the international stage, in particular, at the UN and the SCO, which Belarus has joined as a full member, as well as BRICS, where Belarus has received the status of partner country.
Our economic ties are progressing in the best possible way, despite all the difficulties of an external nature. Bilateral trade has grown by about 5.7 percent, reaching a record level. According to your statistics, it is over $51 billion, while the Russian estimate is slightly more modest, just over $50 billion. Nevertheless, it is still a record level according to both sides. Moreover, apart from cooperating in a routine mode, we are taking forward-looking steps and opening up new areas for cooperation.
At your suggestion, we started considering a few projects in aircraft construction, and have got them actively underway. For example, joint ventures and Belarusian projects catering to the needs of the aviation industry have been launched in Minsk and elsewhere.
Our ties are growing closer when it comes to culture, education, and sports. I know that this year, Belarus will host the Days of Russian Culture as well as the Days of Russian Cinema. Our musicians regularly take part in the Slavonic Bazaar, a highly successful project you launched years ago. Over 80 Russian regions maintain relations at the regional level with their Belarusian counterparts.
In general, we have been making active progress in almost every field. We have numerous events planned for today’s visit including joint statements, and several interdepartmental documents prepared for signing that will facilitate cooperation at the level of specific enterprises and industries.
Overall, work is underway and in progress. We are very much looking forward to seeing you on May 9, and before that, a major forum dedicated to the end of the Great Patriotic War is scheduled to be held in Volgograd, which many of our colleagues from other countries are expected to attend. So, we are delighted to see you.
Once again, I congratulate you on your re-election as President of Belarus. I wish you every success, and I wish the brotherly Belarusian people all the best. I am confident that today’s visit will be productive and rewarding, and produce good outcomes. Welcome!
President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko: Mr Putin, thank you very much.
I spent much time thinking what I can say about our relations. As you have noted, they have indeed reached a very high level. We are creating a unique entity named the Union State, the only one of its kind in history. We are travelling an unbeaten path, which is an uphill road. But as you have said, we have a good mirror that reflects our advance, which is the economy and our trade and economic relations. We are growing stronger every year despite problems, which will always be with us. This means that we are moving in the right direction.
Do you know what is really important? We have held elections, but they were not the first elections held in Belarus, and there was nothing new about them. But there is one thing we must never overlook because elections have two sides to them. The other side has dispersed, as it was said in a popular film. Some have fled to the West, and others – they are not numerous but they exist – have gone to earth and are keeping quiet.
Nevertheless, over 90 percent of our people have come to the polling stations despite the headwinds. Efforts have been taken, including by the media, to stop our people from voting. But over 90 percent have done this, and 87 percent of them cast their votes for the incumbent president. In fact, it was a choice between being with Russia and keeping on the eastern path, which is our cradle, and choosing something else. You know the answer. Our people have provided it.
This question has always been on our agenda, even if not loudly or openly. It is the specific feature of all our elections. Therefore, you should have no doubt that not only I but also my colleagues, members of our Government and our deputies, stand for close relations with Russia. We have reaffirmed this in our joint struggle today, the hottest part of which is the conflict in Ukraine.
It is extremely important that we have always remained on this path, and it is extremely important that our people have demonstrated this. Our people know very well where our friends are and where our adversaries, enemies and rivals are.
You have spoken about all aspects of Belarusian-Russian relations. I see by far fewer problems between us than there are on the global scale or even in our region. We have been working successfully to settle problems. Of course, there are some issues still, but I think that we will talk about them in the expanded format, when our experts join us.
We know what these issues are. We would like to deal with them quicker, but we cannot always do so, and it does not always depend on us but on the external circumstances, as we are well aware. Yet we find solution to every issue we address, be it import substitution or resistance to sanctions. Everyone thought that we would collapse within a year, but we are alive and kicking, and I am confident that we will live on. We need a bit more time, and we could probably use a bit more persistence, which we have plenty of. It is something we have in our blood.
Mr Putin, thank you for the way this official visit has begun. Just like you, I prefer working meetings and talks, of course. But this official visit is important too, as a way to show Belarusians and Russians that we stand together, that we are sovereign and independent states, but we are also a family, which we will continue to promote during all our talks and in the course of our relations.
Vladimir Putin: Tomorrow will also be a busy day for you, as you will speak at the Federation Council.
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