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Putin hails progress in Russia-Belarus integration over past 20 years

According to the Russian president, the two countries are implementing large-scale joint projects in trade and other areas

© Sergei Savostaynov/TASS

MOSCOW, April 2. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko congratulating him on occasion of the Day of Unity between the Peoples of Russia and Belarus, the Kremlin press service said on Tuesday.

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"This year we mark the 20th anniversary since the signing of the Treaty on the Creation of the Union State," Putin said in the telegram. "Since then, our countries have significantly advanced along the path of mutually beneficial cooperation and integration."

According to the Russian president, the two countries are implementing large-scale joint projects in trade and economic, humanitarian, scientific and technical and other areas, and expanding inter-regional cooperation.

"Coordination of efforts in foreign policy and defense areas contributes to strengthening international positions of Russia and Belarus and ensuring the safety of our citizens," Putin said. He praised the achieved level of allied relations, which makes it possible to discuss the most difficult issues on the bilateral agenda and finding solutions that meet the interests of the two brotherly nations in the best way.

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