Lukashenko, Putin hold phone conversation

Bilateral cooperation was in the focus of the conversation. The presidents discussed a number important issues in economy, including specific import substitution projects.

Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin also discussed the international agenda. Separately, the Russian president informed his Belarusian counterpart about the talks in Tehran.

The Belarusian head of state, in turn, thanked his colleague for supporting the Belarusian national air carrier.

In addition, the presidents of Belarus and Russia agreed on the appointment of a new ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the Russian Federation. The Belarusian side has already received the agreman.

Ambassador Vladimir Semashko is replaced by Deputy Head of the President Administration Dmitry Krutoy, who at one time was directly involved in the development of the Union State programs to advance the integration.

The heads of state discussed the schedule of upcoming contacts.

The head of state announced this conversation the day before, in an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP). He spoke about his attitude to Russia and his regular meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin: "I will visit there as much as needed. I am going there soon. Vladimir Vladimirovich and I will have a phone call tomorrow. He asked me to talk over phone. Then I'll travel to meet with him. We will meet as much as we need. We have a high level of relations and I do not need anyone's permission to go to Russia," the head of state said.