Lukashenka: Belarus has never misled Russia

Belarus has never misled Russia and has always been honest and open in matters of cooperation.

Lukashenka pointed out the fact as he met with Alexander Mikhailov, Governor of Russia's Kursk Oblast, on 10 March.

“We are brothers in blood. It is god's will that we should be friends and build our integration relations this way,” he noted. “We have never misled Russians. If we went for a union — a military political one or an economic one — we did it openly and honestly”.

According to Lukashenka, in its time it was interregional cooperation that saved Belarus-Russia relations. “It is probable that the tight integration between the two countries would not exist without interregional cooperation,” he noted.

Lukashenka pointed out positive dynamics in relations between Belarus and Kursk Oblast. In 2014 when the economic situation was complicated the bilateral trade grew by more than 10% from 2013 to reach $250 million. “It is like the average trade turnover with republics of the former Soviet Union,” he noted.

According to him, the two sides trade in all the products that individuals and the production sector need. “But, while building our relations with future in mind, I think we should get Belarusian and Kursk enterprises more tightly intertwined. They should be part of a single manufacturing chain. Although I should say that we have learned how to do that. We have many joint ventures that operate successfully,” Lukashenka said.

Lukashenka said he believes that there are many areas that Belarus and Kursk Oblast can explore to bolster the productivity of joint efforts many times over. “Our dialogue with the Kursk Oblast administration is most active and productive,” stressed the Belarusian head of state. He suggested discussing joint projects in detail. “Getting our agreements implemented is the key part. If we come to terms, we will honor our commitments,” assured Lukashenka.