MOSCOW: The presidents of Russia and Belarus promised on July 2 to increase cooperation amid Western political and economic pressure in the wake of a crackdown on civil society following elections in Belarus last year.  Russia will continue supporting Belarus amid ongoing external pressure, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the 8th Forum of Russian and Belarusian Regions.

"I would like to stress that Belarus is not just a good neighbour, but above all our closest ally. Our relations are based on the principles of mutual respect, support and consideration of each other's interests," the president said. He said Russia intends to continue integration processes with Belarus in the Union state, as well as within the Eurasian Economic Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

"We are currently supporting and will continue to support our Belarusian friends in confronting the sanctions imposed by the European Union," he added. "The ban on the supply of a number of goods to EU countries from Belarus harms the interests of businesses and ordinary people," Putin said, pointing out that those who initiated such restrictions should take that into consideration.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in turn thanked Putin for Russia's public support and assistance during difficult times, according to the Kremlin. Cooperation and unity are particularly important at times when the West is concentrated on curbing the country's development and disrupting integration projects, Lukashenko said.

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