OREANDA-NEWS. April 24, 2008. Russia has been and remains Belarus’ strategic partner, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting with Governor of the Sverdlovsk region Eduard Rossel.

The Union State construction is an objective process meeting the interests of the two nations, the head of state said.

“However difficult it may be, we will be working, as far as it will be possible with the new leadership of Russia, to tackle our common problems of bilateral cooperation,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The President said that last year Belarus and Russia had a record high trade of \\$26 billion, 30% up from 2006.