MINSK, 25 August (BelTA) - Belarus considers it an honor to cooperate with Russia, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov on 25 August, BelTA has learned.

“Unlike all other countries, which, naturally, are friends of Russia but do not want to publicly voice certain things, we do not shy away from any issues, convenient or inconvenient. We say openly that we consider it an honor to cooperate with Russia, and we will continue to do so. Of that, you can be certain. It is not that circumstances are pushing us in this direction. The point is that we set this course long ago, decades ago, and we hold to it sacredly,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

In this regard, Aleksandr Lukashenko urged not to worry about support from Russia in various areas and the corresponding economic policies. This applies not only to industrial cooperation, which current Head of Belarus President Administration Dmitry Krutoi actively promoted while serving as ambassador to Russia.

“So that Belarusians and Russians work together. And today’s times are pushing us toward this and demanding that we work together,” the president said.