7 Dec 2019 10:14

Moscow, Minsk even agreeing on roadmaps would amount to progress - Russian PM's press secretary

MOSCOW. Dec 7 (Interfax) - The integration process between Russia and Belarus would advance if the two countries even agree on parts of the remaining roadmaps, the Russian prime minister's press secretary Oleg Osipov said.

On Friday Dmitry Medvedev met with Belarusian Prime Minister Sergei Rumas. The bilateral talks will continue at the presidential level on Saturday.

"If we manage eventually to agree at least partially on the remaining roadmaps, this would be a big progress," Osipov told the Lenta.ru news website.

Russia takes a comprehensive approach to discussing integration and economic cooperation, he said.

"The terms of Russian oil and gas supplies and lending to Belarus must be considered, so to speak, in the same package with the integration and its speed and scale," Osipov said.

"The Russian government notes progress in advancing the integration agenda. Yet it also notes a serious emotional tension around this process. Some 'anti-Belarusian forces' have emerged and influence on top Russian officials. Even commenting on this is odd, and Dmitry Anatolyevich [Medvedev] has already spoken on this issue at the beginning of his meeting with Sergei Rumas," Osipov said.

Any integration always involves compromise and sometimes concessions and "one should be prepared [to make] them," he said.