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Belarus, Russia develop integrated air-defence system agreement

Other News Materials 3 February 2009 16:35 (UTC +04:00)

The creation of the integrated air-defense system of the Belarus-Russia Union State should necessarily be viewed as part of a set of measures to step up military and technical cooperation, said Alexander Lukashenko, Chairman of the Supreme State Council of the Union State, at the session of the Supreme State Council in Moscow on February 3, BelTA has learnt.

The work on the agreement is complete. According to President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev, the sides had been working on this document for quite a long time. "The work has been done. I would like to thank all my colleagues who took part in the preparation of this document. The implementation of this agreement will significantly reinforce the defense capacity of Belarus and Russia," the Russian leader said.

The Belarusian President underlined that there are still a lot of problems that have to be tackled by joint efforts. "Under my instructions, a draft agenda was prepared to encompass all the topical issues of the Union State construction including those that caught a special attention of the Russian side. It pertains to the creation of the integrated air-defense system of the Union State which should necessarily be viewed as part of a set of measures to step up military and technical cooperation and more active trade relations including the transformation of the Russian ruble into a joint regional currency. Otherwise, this meeting would be a mere formality," the Belarusian head of state underlined.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, the decisions to be adopted by the heads of state are the result of painstaking and concerted effort of the both sides, they attest to the readiness to reconcile most opposing views taking into consideration the special status of the Belarus-Russia relations. "After all, real friends will never hurt the interests of each other. I am convinced that the today's session will help successfully settle many issues," he added.

The Belarusian leader expressed his hope that the pace that has been set will be supported by all the ministers and the two governments who will understand that "the next meeting will focus on promising areas of the Belarus-Russia strategic cooperation in the new conditions."

Dmitry Medvedev, in turn, pointed out that the Supreme State Council is to study the anti-crisis plan of action developed by the governments of the two countries. This document is vital and topical and, according to the Russian President, the sides should make sure this plan is put in practice.

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