Meeting with of the Senate Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan

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The heads of state will seek solutions to complex international issues at the summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) which will take place in Astana on 8 November, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Chairman of the Senate Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan in Minsk on 1 November.

“In a few days we will meet in Astana for the CSTO summit. Many issues are on the agenda: reforming the organization, strengthening its role and clout in international affairs, especially during this difficult time. In Astana, as always, we will be looking for solutions to complex international issues,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president noted that these issues were discussed at the Munich Security Conference Core Group Meeting in Minsk. “I think it was useful for you to hear different points of view.  The conference was even more useful than I expected it to be. It laid bare positions of different countries, including opposing ones,” the head of state added.

Speaking about the bilateral relations between Belarus and Kazakhstan, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that these are the relations of close allies. Belarus will always pursue such a policy, he said. “I have very friendly relationship with your president. We learn a lot from each other. We have borrowed many things from you, especially in the field of law at the beginning of my presidency,” the Belarusian leader stated.

In January-August 2018, the trade between the two countries amounted to $610.5 million, up 44% from the same period last year. According to the president, the figures are good, but the two countries can achieve more.

"Mutual deliveries are not just about trade today. We have deeper relations. We should understand that we will move in this direction should Kazakhstan expresses interest. We will develop closest and friendliest relations with you. You are a promising, strategic and reliable partner for our country,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that during his visit to Minsk for the Munich Security Conference Core Group Meeting he held talks with his Belarusian counterpart, Chairman of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich. The parties signed a protocol to set up sub-commissions for innovations. In his words, this will encourage the executive bodies and commercial organizations of the two states to cooperate more actively in the area.

As for the Munich Security Conference, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that he was impressed by the speech delivered by the Belarusian head of state. So were other participants of the forum. “It was frank, businesslike, and contained many important messages to the international and European community. I believe that your speech will stay for long in the annals of the Munich Security Conference, which is a highly authoritative forum,” the chairman of the Senate said.