According to the presidential web page, Presidents of Russia Vladimir Putin and of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko attended the 6th Forum of Russian and Belarusian Regions in St Petersburg.
Addressing the Forum, Putin pointed out that “Last year our mutual trade increased by almost 10% to $30.5 bln. Russia accounts for about a half of all Belarusian foreign trade and is also the largest source of cumulative direct investment in the Belarusian economy, equal to almost $4 bln.”
“Russian and Belarusian regions are bound by over 350 agreements aimed at expanding cooperation in industry, agriculture, construction, pharmaceuticals and transport. Quite a few interregional documents were signed during this Forum as well. We hope that their implementation will facilitate further consolidation of the Russia-Belarus partnership across all areas of focus,” he stressed.