Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin during a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Roman Golovchenko said that Belarusian partners had successfully worked on the Russian market even during the coronavirus pandemic, while he hoped to rectify the situation between the two countries by the end of the year.
Golovchenko visits Russia for the first time as Prime Minister of Belarus. As expected, the heads of government will discuss a wide range of topical issues in Russian-Belarusian relations and integration within the Union State. The press service of the Russian Cabinet reported that special attention will be paid to the topics of cooperation in the trade and economic sphere, and the implementation of large joint projects.
“Of course, from January to May, our trade slightly decreased, due to objective reasons, primarily coronavirus infection. By the way, it is typical that Russian exports to Belarus decreased by about 31.9%, and Belarusian exports to Russia only 7%. This means that in these difficult conditions, our respected Belarusian partners are successfully working in our market, which we welcome. I believe that by joint efforts we will improve the situation at the end of the year with trade”, – Mishustin said.
At the same time, he noted that it is very important that Golovchenko made his first international visit as Prime Minister to Russia, according to him, the Russian side sees this as confirmation of the fraternal development of relations between the countries.
“Despite the coronavirus, we are in constant dialogue with our Belarusian colleagues,” he added.
Mishustin also conveyed warm greetings and best wishes to President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
The appointment of the head of the Goskomvoenprom industry Golovchenko to the post of prime minister became known on June 4. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko explained his decision to appoint Golovchenko by the fact that he is a reliable person and a good organizer. At the same time, the Belarusian leader demanded that the new composition of the government reduce dependence on Russia by diversifying the markets for its own products and, accordingly, attracting foreign currency. Golovchenko himself also said that he considers it a priority to rid the republic’s economy of hydrocarbon and “other market dependence”.
One of the first who congratulated Golovchenko on his appointment was Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. He confirmed his readiness for active joint work within the Union State, noted the importance of building up Russian-Belarusian cooperation in order to further develop the Eurasian Economic Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States. The Russian Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction with the development of good-neighborly, partner and allied Russian-Belarusian relations, the strengthening of trade, economic, investment, scientific, technical, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. He also emphasized the successful implementation of major projects in the energy sector, industry, high technology and other fields.