Meeting with Russia's Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov

The development of the Belarusian-Russian relations was discussed at the meeting of Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko with Chairman of the Communist Party faction in the Russian parliament Gennady Zyuganov on 5 September.

“First of all, you are welcome to the social state with the socialist ideology,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “I emphasize absolutely openly and sincerely that your ideas are not foreign to us. More than that, unlike other post-Soviet republics we are trying and often manage to fulfill these ideas. Therefore, the idea that the market will save us, that capitalism is the only system which can exist today is complete nonsense. It is just important to work and value people. The time will come when we will regret forgetting the things of the past.”

The president added that people also feel it. “People used to be elated by the thought that, perhaps, our life would be a bed of roses with market relations and capitalism like in Europe. But it turned out quite the opposite,” he said. “We are trying to hold on, but it is not easy without you.”

The meeting focused on a wide range of issues concerning the Belarusian-Russian cooperation. In particular, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Gennady Zyuganov discussed the enhancement of cooperation in mechanical engineering, production of electric vehicles. It was noted that this industry holds great promise. It is no wonder that many countries have given it high priority.

The cooperation in the agricultural industry was also reviewed during the meeting. Gennady Zyuganov told the Belarusian President about people's farms in Russia and noted Belarus’ positive experience in developing agro-industrial centers – agro-towns.