Belarus in talks with Russia on new loans - Finance Minister Seliverstov

MINSK. July 25 (Interfax) - Belarus is holding negotiations with Russia on refinancing previously received loans and raising new ones, Belarusian Finance Minister Yury Seliverstov told reporters on Thursday.

"The broadest range of issues was discussed at the meeting with our Russian colleagues, including raising financing, refinancing of old debts, raising new financing for both investment projects and some untied financing," Seliverstov was reported as saying by state news agency BelTA after talks between Belarusian and Russian delegations in Gorno-Altaisk.

"Of course, this was an opportunity to meet, discuss, align positions, because we're always working closely, cooperating, not just at these forums. And, let's say, in this work it is very good and useful to meet face to face, tally some results, maybe review the drafts of some documents," he said.

"You know, today issues concerning financing oil refining, issues of raising financing for the budget are at the top. We're actively cooperating on financing both investment projects and direct financing. These are the issues being discussed," Seliverstov said.

The talks between the two countries were held ahead of the International Environmental Conference that opens Friday at the Alta resort Manzherok. Government delegations from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will attend.