On the Results of the Working Visit of Mr.Vladimir Makei, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, to Russia

10 July 2013

10-07-2013

On July 10, 2013 Mr.Vladimir Makei, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus was on a working visit to Russia.

The Minister held a meeting with Mr.Sergei Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

During the meeting Mr.Vladimir Makei marked that current negotiations of the Ministers are held under the instructions of the Presidents of the two countries. There is nothing of emergency in the meeting.

“We interact in an intensive way, we take for a model the Presidents of our countries – Mr.Sergei Lavrov said. – The interaction between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of our countries is a natural part of Belarus-Russia cooperation.”

The parties discussed cooperation between the countries in the framework of the Union State building, key aspects of the Eurasian Economic Union formation, as well as the mechanisms of joint interests protection on the international arena.

The Ministers highly assessed the current state of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with the results of interaction between Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

The parties considered the issues of preparation for the sessions of the High-level Group of the Union State Ministers’ Council and the Union State Ministers’ Council.

The sides discussed the activity of the Eurasian Economic Committee on the codification of the Customs Union and Common Free Market Zone legal framework, and the preparation of draft agreement on Eurasian Economic Union.

Other important subjects under the discussion included strengthening bilateral cooperation in social and humanitarian spheres, coordination of positions within major international organizations (in particular the UN and the OSCE).

The sides agreed on the themes and terms of the joint session of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and Russia Collegium that will be held in Moscow in 2013 (November 2013, Moscow).

Following the results of the negotiations joint press conference of the Heads of Foreign Ministries of Belarus and Russia took place.

Mr.Vladimir Makei noted that working out and the adoption of the Program of coordinated actions in foreign policy of the countries – members of the Agreement on the creation of the Union State is planed for 2014 – 2015.

In his statement Mr.Sergei Lavrov pointed out that the Heads of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and Russia agreed on the steps in foreign policy to support the integration within the framework of the Customs Union and the Common Free Market Zone and the future Eurasian Economic Union.

The Foreign Minister of Russia marked that the issues concerning integration processes on the former USSR territory are of priority on the agenda of the Belarusian and Russian Foreign Ministries.

Giving answers to the questions of the press representatives Mr.Vladimir Makei marked the importance of lifting sanctions of the West in respect of Belarus. When speaking about Eastern Partnership summit the Minister outlined that “the Belarusian side observes calmly the discussion on inviting our country to the summit. If the European Union is interested in the development of the Dialogue with Belarus, this dialogue should be built without pressure and intimidation”.

In his turn Mr.Sergei Lavrov outlined that Russian side hopes that Eastern Partnership will carry out its activity in a transparent way without political nature, although such a tendency takes place at present time.

Mr.Vladimir Makei marked that the development of cooperation between Belarus and the distant arc countries (including the countries of South East Asia and Latin America) does not mean closing up relations with Russia and other traditional partners. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus the range of promising directions of Belarus-Russia interaction is rising, including in the integration alliances on the former USSR territory.