Belarus, which has teamed up with Russia and Kazakhstan to create a customs union to which Moscow would like to see Ukraine added, said today that its relations with the EU and the UShave seen positive developments in 2013.
The Belarusian Foreign Ministry said in its review for last year that contacts with EU institutions and the foreign ministries of EU member states have been more active. It added that the country has also seen certain positive changes in its relations with the US, with trade between the two topping $500 million last year.
Bilateral cooperation has been efficient in fields such as healthcare, sports, humanitarian support and interaction between the Belarusian and US law enforcement agencies, the ministry said.
The review noted that Russia remains Belarus' principal trade partner, with bilateral trade turnover reaching nearly $39.7 billion in 2013.
Russia accounted for 49.5 percent of Belarus' foreign trade, while Belarus was among Russia's six largest trade partners.