MINSK, 7 September (BelTA) – Belarus and Equatorial Guinea are set to grow their trade up to $100 million, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said following his talks with Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo at the Palace of Independence, BelTA has learned.
“We expect to achieve a consistent growth in bilateral trade. The target for 2030 is over $100 million,” the head of state said.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the first highest-level visit from Equatorial Guinea has revealed a joint interest in intensifying and deepening bilateral cooperation: “A candid, friendly and constructive conversation has showed that our assessments of the situation in the region and the world completely coincide.”
“Belarus and Equatorial Guinea see no alternatives to a fair multi-polar world where all issues are resolved at the negotiating table through a candid, respectful and equal dialogue. Despite the pressure and resistance of a number of major global players, the voice of Africa calling for such a world order sounds with a greater force. We see that the states of the African continent are growing more determined in their pursuit of an independent, sovereign, peace-loving policy, they are not looking back at the so-called ‘golden billion’ countries,” the president said.
Minsk has been consistently supporting this aspiration for many years, the head of state noted. Visits to Zimbabwe, top-level contacts with Egypt, plans to work with Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa and a number of other states are a testimony to this.
“We are set to keep deepening contacts with African countries,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The head of state emphasized that the interest of Belarus and Equatorial Guinea in each other is enormous. “The current situation in the world is pushing for more active interaction. I have already told my counterpart and friend that they will not leave in peace Equatorial Guinea, a relatively small country blessed with a great number of resources. The president agreed with me,” he said.
The Belarusian leader believes that in the modern world one must be strong to be able to protect their country and its interests.
Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that the parties will soon conclude new contracts and put millions of dollars into the treasury of relations.
“I am sure that with your personal support, Belarus and Equatorial Guinea will soon make progress equipment supplies, agricultural industry modernization, and food security. We are ready to work together with you to achieve these targets. Moreover, we do not only offer you our products, we are also ready to buy products from your country. We need to cooperate, create joint ventures in your country and our country that will produce these goods. We need to go for deeper cooperation. We are ready for this. We can train your specialists to work at technologically advanced enterprises in Equatorial Guinea,” the head of state said addressing the president of Equatorial Guinea.
There are plans to expand partnerships in the petrochemical sector and the mining industry, in education and personnel training, and healthcare, and to promote interpersonal contacts.
Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked his counterpart for a truly friendly and constructive approach to cooperation: “I am convinced that you will appreciate the Belarusian kindness and hospitality and become an even greater friend of Belarus. We have a lot of work ahead and our efforts will certainly pay off very quickly for the benefit of the peoples of our countries.”