Mishustin: Russia appreciates allied relations with Belarus

The Russian Prime Minister said this on meeting the Head of the Belarusian Government, Roman Golovchenko, earlier this week

“We sincerely appreciate good-neighbourly and allied relations with Belarus, and I hope we will bring our co-operation to an even higher level, also enriching the Union State’s integration agenda. The main directions for the implementation of the provisions of the Treaty on the Union State approved last November by the Supreme State Council and the twenty-eight Union State programmes that are currently being realised create a reliable basis for this,” Mr. Mishustin stressed, adding that the governments of Belarus and Russia work in this direction steadily, and more than a third of the 983 events have already been completed. “Priority attention is paid to the creation of a single socio-economic space and strengthening co-operation in industry, energy and transport spheres,” he noted.

According to Mr. Mishustin, the countries are jointly resisting an unprecedented sanctions pressure – ‘which is comparable to a total economic war’. “Its goal is to cut Belarus and Russia off from the international financial system, slow down economic development, undermine the technological sovereignty of our states, and ultimately worsen our citizens’ welfare. I am convinced that we will jointly withstand this pressure – to become stronger and be able to overcome the consequences of Western sanctions, including by deepening integration in the Union State, launching joint projects, developing new production and logistics chains,” he stated.

The Russian Prime Minister emphasised that Belarus-Russia trade and economic co-operation is developing successfully, with direct interaction of regions playing an important role in the process. “I believe the upcoming Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia with the presidents’ participation will give an even deeper impetus to interregional co-operation,” Mr. Mishustin said.