ISTANBUL, 14 April (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to take an active part in restoring Afghanistan’s economy. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement as he met with Afghanistan Prime Minister Abdullah Abdullah in Istanbul, BelTA has learned.
The Belarusian head of state said he was satisfied with the good level of diplomatic interaction between Belarus and Afghanistan. He remarked that during conversations with the presidents of Turkmenistan and Tajikistan Afghanistan’s current life and future had often been mentioned. “They always convinced me that Afghanistan lives and develops. I have concluded that we will always find a lot of peaceful work for us in Afghanistan,” said the Belarusian leader.
According to Alexander Lukashenko, due to certain historic circumstances Belarus feels its responsibility before the Afghan people. “We are ready for cooperation with Afghanistan across the board. There are absolutely no forbidden topics,” assured the head of state.
He suggested creating the legal base required to advance Belarus-Afghanistan cooperation by signing classic agreements, for instance, on mutual support and protection of investments, in addition to choosing three or four fundamental projects. “We are going to move in this direction. Dozens of other projects will emerge after these ones. I am confident that you will work together with us with great interest,” said the President. “Restoring your country and developing it will require everything Belarus has to offer. And we are ready for cooperation, for establishing peaceful enterprises, including in Afghanistan, to make the machines you will need.”
The Belarusian head of state suggested appointing people responsible for advancing Belarus-Afghanistan cooperation on both sides.
Apart from that, the Belarus President said it is possible to advance cooperation with Afghanistan using the experience Belarus has accumulated by working with the countries Afghanistan borders on. “But it doesn’t preclude our moving joint manufacturing projects directly to Afghanistan,” noted the Belarusian leader.
In turn, Abdullah Abdullah said he hopes that the sides will be able to work successfully together and promote mutually beneficial partnership. “I agree that there are excellent opportunities for trade and investments between our countries,” he said.
Abdullah Abdullah also backed the Belarusian head of state’s idea to create the legal base for cooperation and choose a number of key projects to be implemented early on.