New economic opportunities for Russia will benefit Belarus as well. The statement to this effect was made by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the meeting with Russia’s Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov on October 19 in Minsk, BelTA learnt in the presidential press service. Russia is Belarus’ largest economic partner. It accounts for almost half of the foreign trade of Belarus. “A rich buyer is always a good neighbor,” the Belarusian leader added. The head of state congratulated Viktor Zubkov on his new appointment. “Being Prime Minister is a great responsibility as you have to solve many problems. Today these problems became clear which can be considered as a step forward to their settlement,” the President of Belarus said. Alexander Lukashenko also noted that Viktor Zubkov repeatedly visited Belarus and rendered assistance in organizing the country’s financial monitoring. In turn, the Prime Minister noted that Belarus and Russin have all the prerequisites for developing partnership relations in all the spheres. “I am happy that my first visit as Prime Minster is in Belarus,” noted Viktor Zubkov. “We have been building partnership relations with Belarus in the area of single economic zone formation, in defence and other spheres”. The Russian Prime Minister believes that negotiations with his counterpart within the Union State Council of Ministers will be fruitful. “We will consider about 20 topical issues and will try so solve all the problems,” Viktor Zubkov said.