News & Events in Belarus

Lukashenko reaffirms readiness to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan

MINSK, 11 June (BelTA) – We are ready to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with  the meeting with Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova on 11 June, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko warmly welcomed Sahiba Gafarova: “I am sure that you are well familiar with Belarus not only thanks to our parliamentary leaders, and already love the country.”

According to the head of state, Belarus, especially in the year marking the 80th anniversary of the country's liberation from the Nazis, appreciates the contribution made by Azerbaijanis to the victory and liberation of the Belarusian lands, remembers their heroic deeds. The president noted that Sahiba Gafarova also paid tribute to the feats of soldiers of the Great Patriotic War by laying a wreath at Victory Square in Minsk. “This is very important and symbolic in the current times,” the Belarusian leader emphasized. “I am happy to see that both Azerbaijan and Belarus have shared values.”

Describing the relations between the parliaments of the two countries, the head of state stressed: “They are developing very well. This is the case when inter-parliamentary ties keep pace with the level of relations between the leaders of our states.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that he has long-standing friendship with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev since the time when his father Heydar Aliyev was at the head of the country. “He was a very shrewd man,” the head of state said. “Ilham is a worthy successor of his father's deeds. Probably, he has done so much in history that hardly any president after Ilham Heydarovich will be able to repeat it.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko said he warmly recalls his recent visit to Azerbaijan. During the trip, the Belarusian head of state together with Ilham Aliyev visited the post-conflict territories of Azerbaijan. The Belarusian head of state praised the climate and natural beauty of Shusha: “Having traveled to many places on our planet, I have never seen such a place - clean air, beautiful nature.”

“I am sure that you will accomplish another feat by restoring life in these territories. We will gladly participate in this work. We have identified some directions. There is not a single obstacle,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

Characterizing the development of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, the president stressed: “Our mutual trade is good but unbalanced. We need to buy more goods in Azerbaijan.” According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, this issue will be regulated. During the visit of the Belarusian president to Azerbaijan, the parties discussed the areas for more intensive cooperation, including the exchange of technologies in the agro-industrial sector and military-industrial complex.

“In short, there are no closed topics. We are ready to work in this direction. I am confident that our MPs will ensure this process legislatively,” the Belarusian leader said.

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