MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION INFORMATION AND PRESS DEPARTMENT _______________________________ 32/34 Smolenskaya-Sennaya pl., 119200, Moscow G-200; tel.: (499) 244 4119, fax: (499) 244 4112 e-mail: dip@mid.ru, web-address: www.mid.ru |
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 also discussed the implications of the Georgian aggression against the peaceful population of South Ossetia.
President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev: Dear Alexander Grigoryevich, I am pleased that we are meeting as planned. We agreed that in the summer we will continue to discuss Russian-Belarusian relations and agreed to meet in Sochi.
In general things are developing very well. With regards to economic cooperation, we are once again witnessing good figures, even a record. At the end of the year our financial analysts suggest that the volume of trade will reach 30 billion dollars. This is a good impressive result, reflecting the very strong, friendly, strategic relations that bind our countries. There are a wide variety of projects in which we are both engaged. There are topics to discuss in the economy, social sphere and, of course, I propose to discuss several international issues, particularly those related to regional problems.
I cannot fail to mention the aggression committed by Georgia against South Ossetia and its international implications. In all likelihood, we need to think about how we can further develop cooperation including within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO).
I welcome you and am glad to see you.