Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 25 August (BelTA) – Iran will step up interaction with Belarus via friendship societies. The statement was made by Ali Kaeidi, head of the Iranian parliament’s friendship group for cooperation with the Belarus parliament, in his speech in the House of Friendship on 25 August, BelTA has learned.

Ali Kaeidi said that the Iran-Belarus friendship society operates in Tehran. In turn, there is a Belarus-Iran friendship society in Minsk. According to the Iranian MP, grassroots diplomacy plays a major role in enhancing the bilateral ties. “The countries should be friends and live in peace with each other. Borders cannot divide people of different countries,” stressed the MP.

Ali Kaeidi also shared his impressions from visiting Belarus. In particular, he mentioned that Belarusians are very kind and hospitable people. He pointed out that Belarus suffered a great deal during the Great Patriotic War and the nation remembers that difficult time.

The Iranian parliament delegation’s visit to the Belarusian society for friendship and cultural ties with foreign countries was not an accident. The agency has recently created the Belarus-Iran friendship society that went to work right away, arranging various cultural events. Many members of the society turned up for the meeting with the Iranian parliament delegation. An agreement on organizing a number of events at the level of Belarus-Iran friendship societies was reached on 25 August.

Nina Ivanova, chairwoman of the presidium of the Belarusian society for friendship and cultural ties with foreign countries, informed those present about the agency’s operation. In 2016 the agency will mark its 90^th anniversary. Many famous Belarusian cultural figures and men of letters helped establish the agency. Creative intellectuals are still among the active members of the Belarusian society for friendship and cultural ties with foreign countries.