Mikhail Mishustin’s meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko

The meeting was convened as part of the President of Belarus's visit to the Russian Federation.

Excerpts from the transcript:

Mikhail Mishustin: Good afternoon, Mr Lukashenko,

I extend a warm welcome to you at the Russian Government House.

Your visit to Russia is now underway. Tomorrow, you are to meet with President Vladimir Putin. I wish to assure you that we are implementing all decisions adopted at the highest level.

My colleague Alexander Turchin and I have reviewed the entirety of the bilateral agenda pertaining to the Union State, as well as matters associated with the Eurasian Economic Union.

I would like to highlight that our mutual trade continues to demonstrate robust growth: over the past five months, it has increased by 12.5 percent. I trust that we will continue to enhance its structure and sustain this rate of growth.

We are undertaking numerous joint initiatives in the realm of industrial collaboration. I am aware of your personal attention to this agenda. We have a multitude of plans connected, in one way or another, with industry and production. There are also matters relating to the digital agenda, electronics, and the mutual recognition of electronic digital signatures. We have also discussed tourism matters. It is pursuant to your instructions, and those of President Vladimir Putin, that we have launched commuter train services. Further projects are currently under consideration.

We look forward to our joint events in Minsk.

On 1 October, Belarus has extended an invitation to us to participate in a meeting of the Union State Council of Ministers. On the following day, the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council will convene a meeting, with the participation of the heads of government of the EAEU member states. There will also be a major exhibition - Innoprom Belarus - at which we intend to conclude new agreements and contracts.

Mr Lukashenko, we have a substantial agenda. Let me reiterate: the issues set forth by our presidents remain under the constant supervision of the respective governments.

Welcome!

Alexander Lukashenko: Mr Mishustin, I would like to express my particular gratitude to you for this meeting. We had long planned it ahead of our meeting with the President of Russia. Tomorrow, we will discuss many issues with him.

I must convey my gratitude to you and the Government for the scrupulous discharge of your commitments to Belarus to date. I believe that you have no grounds for any claims against Belarus either. I must once again publicly assure you that everything we have outlined is being implemented and will continue to be implemented. From minor matters - fuel, both diesel and various types of petrol, and so on. Regarding foodstuffs, we will fulfil our obligations; we are fulfilling them and even exceeding them, you need have no doubt whatsoever. This applies right through to the serious, systemic issues you have just mentioned, within the framework of our Union and within the framework of the EAEU.

We look forward to seeing you on 1 October in Belarus. We have a number of events that are of particular interest to you, Mr Mishustin. I do hope you will be able to attend. Your First Deputy, Denis Manturov, recently paid a visit. We held a substantive meeting with him that extended beyond industry, encompassing a wide-ranging discussion of our countries' economies. We reaffirmed our joint projects in aircraft manufacturing as well as in the military and industrial sector, and we achieved full mutual understanding on every issue. One final point: I am particularly pleased that you enjoy good contact and relations with our new Prime Minister. And the former ambassador, Dmitry Krutoy, remains closely involved with our agenda. As you are aware, he is deeply integrated with our interactions, and I am delighted that you have maintained warm personal ties with our former ambassador, who stands ready to facilitate your efforts in advancing many matters.

Concerning our future course, we will address today a shared problem that necessitates resolution in the south of Belarus and the west of the Russian Federation. It is, indeed, a pressing issue. However, we are addressing it and will resolve it, irrespective of the wishes of others. As for what others may or may not desire - well, we have seen through all such intentions and fully understand the circumstances that surround us.

Accordingly, I wish for us both - since these challenges must be addressed jointly - to overwhelm them. And we will.