A. Lukashenko counts on the assistance of the Federation Council in developing Belarus's relations with Russian regions

June 5, Minsk / Vladimir Matveev - BELTA /. The head of the Belarusian state, Alexander Lukashenko, counts on the assistance of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia in developing relations between Belarus and Russian regions. He stated this today at a meeting with the Chairperson of the Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko, BELTA correspondent reports. "There were times, you remember them, when the situation of our Union (Belarus and Russia. - BELTA note) was very shaky. And then cooperation with the regions saved our relations," the head of state said. In this regard, Alexander Lukashenko noted that the Federation Council is essentially a chamber of territorial representation, which unites Russian regions in this body of power. "We would very much like you to join this process of cooperation between Belarus and the regions. You would help preserve the foundation of our relations. We are ready to cooperate with you at any level, including mine, because the idea of cooperation between Russian regions and Belarus was put forward by me at one time, I will cooperate with you in every way if you agree to this initiative," the President assured. The head of state also noted that he had raised this issue in a conversation with the leadership of Russia. "In fact, there is approval. And if you took it under your control, as a person already familiar with this issue, you would greatly help in bringing our states closer," the Belarusian leader emphasized. Alexander Lukashenko also positively assessed the signing of the cooperation agreement between the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia: "I absolutely support this agreement. We need it very much." "I must say that members of the Federation Council have always supported us at any level. We are very grateful to you for this, for your support in the international arena, when you, even going ahead of Belarus, tried to protect us from these attacks. You know the sources and the basis of all these relations of the West towards us," the head of state added. Alexander Lukashenko also specifically noted the great role of Valentina Matviyenko in the development of Belarusian-Russian relations, including in her post as Governor of St. Petersburg. In turn, Valentina Matviyenko noted that the visit of the Federation Council delegation takes place in close proximity to the landmark visit of the head of the Russian state, Vladimir Putin, to Belarus. "The very fact of the first visit of the President of Russia speaks volumes. Belarus was, is, and remains a strategic partner, an ally, and a fraternal people," the Chairperson of the Federation Council noted. In her opinion, the role of parliaments in the development of Belarusian-Russian relations is very significant. It consists, in particular, in the normative provision of cooperation and integration of states, harmonization of legislation, and creation of favorable conditions for cooperation of economic entities and businesses. "We need to further deepen cooperation and economic interaction," Valentina Matviyenko believes. -0-