Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a congratulatory telegram to his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on occasion of the 20th anniversary of signing the Treaty on the Creation of a Union State of Russia and Belarus.

Axar.az reports citing TASS.

"A historic decision on signing this crucial agreement signaled mutual desire to strengthen Russian-Belarusian relations based on the centuries-old traditions of fraternal friendship, cultural and spiritual affinity," the Russian president emphasized in his telegram.

Putin highly appreciates progress reached between the two countries over the past years on the path towards integration and cooperation, the coordination of efforts in security and foreign policy, the intensive development of trade and economic and interregional ties as well as the implementation of innovative scientific and technical programs and large-scale humanitarian projects bankrolled from the Union State’s budget, the telegram says.

The Russian leader also noted in his message that Russians and Belarusians have equal opportunities in choosing the place of residence, jobs and obtaining medical and social assistance.