Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 28 May (BelTA) – Belarus and Azerbaijan continuously develop cooperation in science, manufacturing industry and services sector, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Belarus Isfandiar Vagabzade said at a reception held to mark Republic Day of Azerbaijan on 27 May, BelTA has learned.

The ambassador noted that he has been working in Belarus for five years already and is happy to contribute to the development of relations between the two countries as the head of the Azerbaijani diplomatic mission in Belarus. “I see it as my goal and believe that the bilateral cooperation boosts the prosperity of our nations. Belarus and Azerbaijan continuously develop cooperation in science, manufacturing industry and services sector. The number of joint ventures, mutually beneficial investment and innovative projects is growing. The legal framework of cooperation is expanding,” Isfandiar Vagabzade stressed.

The diplomat said that Republic Day marking the restoration of the country’s independence has been celebrated in Azerbaijan as a public holiday since 1990. “The policy of the current country’s leadership is aimed at strengthening national sovereignty and creating conditions for stable development of the country and prosperity of its citizens,” Isfandiar Vagabzade pointed out.

The ambassador recalled that after the collapse of the USSR, Heydar Aliyev became President of the young state and established a solid foundation for statehood. “The rich hydrocarbon reserves spurred the country’s economic growth in the 1990s. However, today it is impossible to hold leading positions in the world market without active development of advanced technology. Science, construction, advanced manufacturing and banking sector are the areas we have managed to succeed in,” Isfandiar Vagabzade said.

For his part, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko said as he attended the reception that Belarus and Azerbaijan maintained their friendly relations after the collapse of the USSR. He stated that the trade between the two countries is growing and added that the economies harmoniously complement each other.