On August 15, Moscow / Olga Belyavskaya - BELTA /. Belarus and Russia possess the necessary potential for a significant increase in trade turnover, exceeding the pre-crisis level of 2008 in 2011. This was stated today during a one-on-one meeting with the Prime Minister of Belarus, Mikhail Myasnikovich, within the framework of the Union State Council of Ministers meeting by the Chairman of the Government of Russia, Vladimir Putin, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. Analysing the dynamics of trade turnover between the countries, Vladimir Putin gave a generally positive assessment of the situation. In 2010, trade turnover between the countries showed growth. In January-June of the current year, this growth continued, and trade turnover reached $17.6 billion. According to the Chairman of the Russian Government, if such dynamics and pace are maintained, there are all prerequisites for the countries to exceed the pre-crisis 2008 trade turnover figures. Vladimir Putin also added that the integration of Belarus and Russia within the framework of the Union State is yielding results, while at the same time, there are issues that require additional attention. He recalled that 16 issues, elaborated at the expert level, are to be discussed at today's meeting of the Union State Council of Ministers. In turn, Mikhail Myasnikovich noted that two main groups of issues will be considered during the upcoming meeting of the Union State Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister of Belarus added that Belarus and Russia will review specific interim results of integration to give new impetus to the development of cooperation. According to Mikhail Myasnikovich, the fact that the countries have planned new joint scientific and technical programmes and innovative projects indicates a new quality of Belarusian-Russian interaction. Russia is Belarus's main trading partner. In 2010, Russia accounted for 46.6% of Belarus's total foreign trade volume. Our country also acts as one of the main trading partners of the Russian Federation and, according to the results of 2010, ranks sixth in Russia's foreign trade turnover after China, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Ukraine. Belarus's trade turnover with the Russian Federation in 2010 reached $28.03 billion, or 118.9% of the 2009 level. Exports amounted to $9.95 billion (148.2%), and imports were $18.08 billion (108.1%). The foreign trade balance for Belarus in 2010 was negative, amounting to $8.1 billion.