OREANDA-NEWS. On August 21, 2008 President Alexander Lukashenko met in Sochi with President Arsen Kanokov of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, the Official website http://president.gov.by reported.

The talks centred on expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation . Today the trade between Belarus and Kabardino-Balkaria is relatively small and does not meet the economic potentials of Belarus and Kabardino-Balkaria.

The bulk of Belarusian exports to this republic is furniture, chemical fibres, articles made of cement and concrete, plastic, integrated circuits, food and some consumer goods. Belarusian companies are prepared to supply road construction equipment, agricultural, quarry equipment, machines and equipment for the timber industry, special-purpose equipment, refuse collection and street cleaning vehicles, products of the Belarusian automobile industry, refrigerators, more types of food and consumer goods.

The President of Belarus said that the Belarusian and Kabardino-Balkarian peoples had much in common. “Your people are very kind and hard-working, just like the people in Belarus,” said President Alexander Lukashenko to Arsen Kanokov.

The Belarusian President believes that to intensify bilateral trade Belarus and Kabardino-Balkaria need to take specific practical actions. “Do come to Belarus with any delegation, and we will conclude an agreement at the interstate level to which we will adhere unswervingly. Our Government has developed the respective mechanisms for it,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The President added that he could take the implementation of big joint projects under his personal control.

Alexander Lukashenko believes it is quite possible to remove all the unnecessary middlemen in bilateral trade between Belarus and Kabardino-Balkaria, “You would be able to trade with us directly.”

In this respect, the Belarusian President added, “It is very profitable for us to cooperate with Kabardino-Balkaria.”

Alexander Lukashenko said that expansion of trade and economic relations between Belarus and Russia took place primarily through development of direct contacts between Belarus and Russian regions.

Arsen Kanokov thanked the Belarusian President for this opportunity to meet. He outlined what was being done in Kabardino-Balkaria to maintain and promote friendly relations with the Belarusians, “It is impossible to treat the Belarusian people with disrespect. These are open, decent and kind people.”

Speaking about ethnic relations, President Arsen Kanokov said, “Our countrymen feel at home in Belarus.”