Belarus and Russia share similar views on the entire bilateral agenda and cooperation within the framework of international organisations, Belarus’ Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said following talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Minsk on June 16, BelTA reported.
Makei noted that Lavrov’s visit to Minsk was constructive and busy. In particular, Lavrov met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
“They held an interesting and meaningful discussion that confirmed one more time that our relations are solid and unshakable,” Makei said.
According to the Belarusian foreign minister, he and Lavrov discussed topical issues concerning the bilateral and regional agenda, as well as Belarus-Russia cooperation within the framework of international organisations.
Topping the agenda were four issues: bilateral partnership, cooperation in international organisations, collaboration within the framework of the Union State and the Eurasian Economic Union. Both parties focussed on the implementation of the Belarus-Russia joint action programme.
“We have determined the timeline of our contacts at various levels this year and confirmed our commitment to implementing all major documents with a view to strengthening foreign policy cooperation,” Makei said.
He emphasised that an agreement was reached to hold a joint session of the countries’ foreign ministries at the end of the year.
Makei also said they discussed the coordination of efforts of Belarus and Russia in the United Nations. “We have discussed matters related to coordination of our work in the United Nations, including joint promotion of foreign policy initiatives at various international platforms,” he said.
Makei also emphasised that while promoting all-round cooperation on the international arena, Belarus and Russia contribute to resolving pressing issues facing the international community, like human trafficking, illegal trade in human organs. “While discussing Belarus-Russia cooperation at regional organisations, we focused on the joint effort to turn the OSCE into a full-fledged international organisation that would truly contribute to strengthening cooperation and security in the Euro-Atlantic region,” the Belarusian foreign minister said.
He also said they communicated their views on the Eastern Partnership Initiative and its evolution. “We have an absolute accord here. We believe that the evolution of this initiative should not give rise to new dividing lines in Europe and Russia’s isolation from this initiative,” he noted.
According to Makei, at the top on the agenda of the talks was international security, non-proliferation of weapons and arms control. “Our efforts in this field are coordinated and very efficient,” explained the foreign minister.