ZAVIDOVO, Tver Region, July 20 (RIA Novosti) - The formation of a Russia-Belarus Union was the focus of attention at a meeting on Wednesday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko.

Putin, opening the meeting at the Rus residence in Zavidovo, Tver Region, called it "well-timed."

Putin said political dialogue between the two countries was continually developing in a very positive key, along with the economy.

Lukashenko said the meeting with the Russian president was much needed, as Russia and Belarus engage in new areas of cooperation: "I greatly value such support, particularly in the sense of developing positive personal relations."

Relations between Russia and Belarus are taking on a new character both in a political and an economic sense.

"This visit to Moscow is symbolic. It began with a visit to the Energia Rocket and Space Corporation, where we are jointly developing the Zemlya satellite," Lukashenko said. "Previously this would have been unthinkable; we now have new areas of cooperation in view. This is of great importance."

The Belarusian president thanked Putin for his support in the Zemlya project, as well as in other projects.

He commented on the importance of establishing new, non-traditional approaches to developing cooperation between the countries.

The leaders of Russia and Belarus signed a treaty on forming a union in December 1999.

The treaty was designed to become an efficient instrument for restoring the common political, economic, legal, defense, and humanitarian space of the two nations.