On January 24, Minsk /BELTA correspondent/. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has departed on a working visit to the Russian Federation. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the press service of the Head of State. On January 23, a meeting between Alexander Lukashenko and President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev took place in Krasnaya Polyana. During the conversation, issues of Belarusian-Russian cooperation were discussed, including bilateral trade and economic relations, strengthening of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, development of interaction within the framework of the Single Economic Space, joint response to modern challenges and threats, as well as other current issues on the bilateral and international agenda. The President of Belarus specifically noted that the established trusting dialogue between the leadership of the two countries contributed to resolving a number of crucial issues of bilateral cooperation at the end of 2011, including in the energy sector. The Belarusian side is ready to maintain and develop the achieved level of constructive dialogue aimed at implementing landmark agreements at the highest level for both countries. During the visit, meetings between the President of Belarus and representatives of political and business circles of the Russian Federation are planned. Alexander Lukashenko will combine his stay in Sochi with a short leave. -0-

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