MINSK. Oct 17 (Interfax) - The intelligence services of Belarus and Russia are closely cooperating to protect the national interests of the two countries, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting with Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin in Minsk on Tuesday.
"You head a very important structure. It's no secret that we are working in the closest contact. I am kept updated on all issues. I am also grateful to you for cooperation between our intelligence services. Once again, there is nothing to hide here, even though these organizations are out of public view: like all special services in any state, we protect the interests of our states and peoples," Lukashenko was quoted as saying by his press service.
Nonetheless, there are certain questions as regards cooperation between the two countries' intelligence services, including those related to the coordination of activities and steps to agree avenues of joint work for protection of national interests, he said.
"Today we have an opportunity to discuss these problems," he said.
Lukashenko said that he was meeting with Naryshkin not as an official but as a good friend, who has made an extensive contribution in efforts to build and strengthen the Russia-Belarus Union State, especially in his previous capacity as Russian State Duma chairman.
"As we say here, you are an ardent supporter of this form of our fraternal states' existence. I appreciate it very much," he said.