Western sanctions catalyze closer Minsk-Moscow relations - Belarusian FM

MINSK. June 15 (Interfax) - The current level of relations between Belarus and Russia is high like never before, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said.

"We can assert that the level of our relations is high like never before. And it's just a blessing in disguise. The sanction pressure being put on Belarus and Russia is a powerful catalyst for a further strengthening of our relations and our cooperation," the Belarusian state news agency BelTA quoted Makei as saying at the opening ceremony of an exhibition marking the 30th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belarus and Russia.

He said he was confident that the bilateral relationship between Belarus and Russia will reach an even higher level soon.

"We should thank the sanction gentlemen for the pressure being put on our countries. I am convinced that we'll worthily cope with the challenges and threats facing our countries," Makei said.

Belarus and Russia have approached the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relations with lots of achievements in all fields, Makei said.

"We can assert definitely that we have approached this date with the achievements we have accumulated in all areas of our cooperation, including the political, military, humanitarian, trade-economic, and others. This is very important. This highlights a strategic nature of cooperation between our states and unity between our peoples," he said.

"I think everyone agrees that our peoples are absolutely close and virtually unified mentally, culturally, and psychologically, and they are also bound by close human ties. This is very important," Makei said.

Russian Ambassador to Belarus Boris Gryzlov said Russia and Belarus are the most reliable partners among the former Soviet republics.

"From the historical perspective, thirty years is not that long a period. But it's definitely a momentous period for the development of our relations. The thirty years have shown that Russia and Belarus are the most reliable partners on the area of the former Soviet Union," he said.

Russia and Belarus share the same positions in all international organizations, he said.

"Unfortunately, not all the CIS countries share the same position that could strengthen the might of the CIS and the CSTO [the Collective Security Treaty Organization]. Russia and Belarus can serve as a model of such consolidated relations enabling the states that have emerged on the Soviet Union's territory to dictate their terms and their position and to defend their interests," he said.