Business news

3 Jun 2024

Lukashenko suggests focusing on major projects in Belarus-Mongolia cooperation at first stage

ULAANBAATAR, 3 June (BelTA) – Let’s identify three or four major projects to develop cooperation at the first stage, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during the extended negotiations with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh in Ulaanbaatar, BelTA has learned.

“We do not suffer from gigantomania. We understand our relations and our place in Mongolia's relations with other countries very well. We would like to start with something good with you, three of four projects to convince your people, the country's leadership, journalists and your opposition that we are capable of achieving something. Let's define three or four projects, and we will show you that we can cooperate with you no worse than you cooperate with the great empires [large and influential countries in the world]. We are absolutely open to cooperation with you. I ask you to send your specialists, a delegation to Belarus so that they could see how Belarus is developing and could choose the areas and projects what will be useful for Mongolia,” the head of state said.

“We are ready for any projects that Mongolia needs in the areas that we have experience and expertise in,” the Belarusian leader assured.

Aleksandr Lukashenko invited the Mongolian president and his colleagues to pay a visit to Belarus to see for themselves how the country lives and develops.

The head of state is convinced that the negotiations in Mongolia will give a start to new beginnings in the relations between the two countries. He recalled his first visit to Mongolia in 1992 as an MP. “You country has undergone amazing changes. There is nothing to compare with,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized, speaking about Mongolia's successes. “Today, looking at Ulaanbaatar, I was pleasantly shocked. New buildings, constructions. Progress is visible at every step, starting from the airport. I congratulate you on this tremendous progress.”

The president also expressed support for Mongolia's foreign policy: “This way is the only right way. Sandwiched between two empires, huge countries, you are very delicately and carefully conducting your foreign policy, balancing between these forces. I know how difficult it is for you to stay afloat and improve the welfare of your people.

He characterized the current period as a very difficult, important and critical moment for Mongolia as the country is preparing for the upcoming parliamentary elections. “You have colossal resources, enormous wealth. This is your great fortune. But this good fortune must be preserved, protected. Because the world has gone off the rails. Only strength is respected. To exist in this frenzied world, you need to be strong. I wholeheartedly wish you to be strong to survive and to make the Mongolian people deservedly rich and great,” the president said. “The great Genghis Khan, who you revere (and deservedly so because you have a great history) always taught that in order to achieve something, everyone should do their jobs. The government should be strong as a fist. Nobody can hold power with spread fingers”.