Opinions & Interviews
Belarus described as peaceful European state and donor of security
“Our hearts are always open for partners interested in the enhancement of relations and expansion of all-round cooperation. Today Belarus is a peaceful European state serving as a donor of security and a platform for the regulation of a number of conflicts in the region,” the head of state said. “Belarusian proposals regarding various models of integration, joint actions against modern challenges and threats have more and more supporters among other states and international organizations.”
The president remarked that the economy is always the foundation of stability, the guarantor of sovereignty an independence of any country. “Last year we managed to overcome negative trends in our economy,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
Important decisions were made to stimulate business and investment. A lot has been done to stimulate entrepreneurship and innovative activities, clear-cut rules for business have been developed.
“Nuclear energy and biotechnology are vigorously developing in Belarus. Unprecedented legal conditions for the IT industry have been created. Belarusian doctors provide high-quality services in neurosurgery, cardiology, oncology, transplantation and rehabilitation,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
In his words, this opens up additional opportunities for the strengthening of ties with countries all over the world.
The Belarusian president received credentials of the ambassadors of Georgia, Egypt, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Columbia, Cuba, Malaysia, Malta, Nigeria, Tajikistan, Croatia.
On Kazakhstan
Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the relations of Belarus and Kazakhstan have a strategic character and rely on mutual trust and openness. The recent visit of the Kazakhstan president to Belarus was a bright testimony to that. The sides signed a comprehensive agreement on social and economic cooperation till 2026 which will help the two countries reach a new level in bilateral relations in the near future.
On Tajikistan
According to Alexander Lukashenko, Tajikistan has been and still is a friendly state and reliable partner for Belarus. Joint projects helped them reach a brand-new level of trade, humanitarian cooperation is increasingly vibrant.
“I am convinced that the abovementioned factors alongside with the gradual implementation of agreements which were reached during the visit of the Tajikistan president to Belarus in 2017 will serve as a solid foundation for the further development of the interstate dialogue and the increase in the bilateral trade between our countries,” the head of state added.
“I am not afraid to say that, perhaps, this year will become determining one, even a new step forward for us. Moreover, this will be an important step in the development of relations with this friendly country,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
On Georgia
The Belarusian leader stressed that the relations with Georgia have stabilized in recent time. “We vigorously cooperate in various fields. We already have the first successful examples of industrial cooperation. Five or seven years ago we did not even know how to build logistics in the trade with Georgia. Today we can and will do it.”
Alexander Lukashenko said that a top-level visit to Georgia is planned for 2018.
On Malta
Belarus is interested in the development of political, economic, tourism, and other ties with Malta. “We hope to ensure sustainable positive dynamics in trade,” the head of state remarked.
On Croatia
Belarus is also prepared for the expansion of the entire range of relations with Croatia. “It is essential for the business circles of the two countries to join efforts to boost bilateral trade and investment cooperation, The two countries have a necessary potential for it,” the Belarusian leader is convinced.
On Iceland
Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus will continue paying attention to the cooperation with Iceland. “We deem it necessary to balance out our trade turnover. We are interested in developing a corresponding legal framework between our countries and consider issues of mutual interest,” he said.
On Cambodia
According to the president, Belarus can meet the demand of the rapidly developing economy of Cambodia to a considerable extent. “We propose to build up cooperation in the manufacturing sector, agriculture, education, science and culture. Belarusian enterprises are ready to take part in projects to develop the transport and energy infrastructure, mining on the territory of Cambodia,” the head of state said.
On Malaysia
Alexander Lukashenko said that this country is a promising partner of Belarus in Southeast Asia. However, bilateral cooperation can be described as the field of unused opportunities. “There are vast opportunities. It is important to create conditions for joint economic initiatives, expansion of scientific, technical, and humanitarian ties. Healthy pragmatism, mutual benefits should always serve as the foundation of our partnership in the long run,” the president is convinced.
On Egypt
“The relations between Belarus and Egypt are special. My friend President el-Sisi and I discussed it in Cairo a year ago,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
He remarked that the sides agreed to make serious progress in the implementation of joint manufacturing projects, boost bilateral trade, determined promising avenues in science and education. “We have accomplished at that. We will have important results by the visit of the Egypt president,” the head of state said.
On Nigeria
Alexander Lukashenko reaffirmed Belarus’ interest in the deepening of all-round mutually beneficial cooperation with Nigeria.
“Our main objective today is to give a concrete impetus to the development of the trade, economic and humanitarian contacts. We hope that the activities of the new ambassador of Nigeria will lead to a significant progress in our bilateral relations and preserve all the positive things that we accumulated before,” the president said.
On Cuba
The head of state stressed that Belarus values the level of mutual understanding with Cuba which is Belarus’ good ally. “This is a reliable platform for the establishment of ties with other countries in Latin America. We continue to provide all-round assistance to Cuba and are doing our best to promote its political and economic interests in our region,” he said.
Alexander Lukashenko reaffirmed his readiness to visit Cuba. “I am convinced that the efforts to strengthen friendship between the two brotherly nations will get a new impulse,” he added.
On Colombia
The president spoke in positive terms about the growth of Belarus’ bilateral trade with Colombia. He mentioned the delivery of Belarusian machines, chemical products, pharmaceutical products, optic and electronic devices, farm equipment and passenger transport as promising avenues of cooperation.
“Belarus is interested in establishing industrial cooperation, setting up joint ventures for the assembly of modern cars, farm equipment and other vehicles. The two countries are equally interested in the vigorous development of cooperation in all fields,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
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