Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin have telephone conversation

Today Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko had a telephone conversation with Russia President Vladimir Putin on the initiative of the Russian side. The heads of state continued to discuss topical issues of the Belarusian-Russian cooperation and the schedule of forthcoming contacts. Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin reaffirmed the need to hold a meeting with the participation of the heads of government. The presidents agreed on this meeting in Sochi last week. It is expected that the meeting will be attended by the prime ministers of the two countries, the vice premiers in charge of the oil and gas complex and agriculture, finance ministers. The preliminary date of the meeting is 21 September.

Belarus President also met with outgoing Russian Ambassador Alexander Surikov. Interests of Belarus and Russia never contradict each other, Alexander Lukashenko said. The head of state thanked the Russian diplomat for many years of work in Belarus.