Constitutional referendum in Belarus important for forming stable situation there - Putin

MOSCOW. March 11 (Interfax) - The recent referendum on amending the Belarusian constitution is important for stabilizing the situation in that country by way of a political process, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

"I think the political process that you've initiated and the dialogue you're maintaining with the people is extremely important for the situation to be stable and steady," Putin said on Friday.

"I'd like to congratulate you on successfully holding the referendum resulting in making amendments to the constitution. I know voter turnout was very high, and support from Belarusian citizens is very substantial," he said.

Lukashenko replied that this support was "higher by 1.5% than in the presidential elections."

"Only in a stable and steady situation can we speak about economic development," Putin said.