Our country is always ready to render assistance to Ukraine, as Alexander Lukashenko underlined at his meeting in Kiev with President Petro Poroshenko. He noted that ‘the strength of partnerships is tested during hard times’.
Complexities in Ukraine have not adversely affected mutual trade in goods, which continues to grow, as Ukraine is interested in purchasing various Belarusian goods. Mr. Poroshenko thanked the President for organising trilateral dialogue, aimed at solving essential problems. The Ukrainian President has special words of gratitude for Belarus’ clear position regarding its neighbour’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. President Poroshenko hopes to see Minsk talks continue and intensify, noting ‘shared effective interaction’. He explained, “Today’s history of diplomacy includes the terms ‘Minsk format’, ‘Minsk memorandum’, ‘Minsk protocol’ and ‘Minsk arrangements’. The whole world is calling them the basis of the peaceful plan of President Poroshenko and the peace process in Ukraine. They are recognised by the United Nations, the European Union, and G20 countries and are an uncontested model of de-escalation for the situation in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.”
Mr. Poroshenko commented on the warm and friendly character of relations between our two countries, and between our presidents, evinced by economic and financial co-operation, co-ordination of actions within international organisations, and interaction in the sphere of security: as discussed by the heads of our two states.
President Lukashenko once again confirmed that Belarus will do its utmost to establish peace in Ukraine, stressing that Ukrainians are not strangers to Belarusians. Besides, bilateral co-operation stands at about $7 billion in goods turnover, which cannot be replaced. Mr. Poroshenko answered that Ukraine is sincerely interested in trade, economic, and political relations with Belarus, as well as co-operation in the sphere of security.
By Vladimir Khromov
