Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 November (BelTA) – Belarus can participate in infrastructure projects, which are being implemented in Azerbaijan. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement after meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on 19 November, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko said: “We are ready to participate in infrastructure projects in Azerbaijan: the construction of new railroads, sea ports, and logistics hubs.”

A lot can be done together in the area of transportation and logistics, Alexander Lukashenko is convinced.

On the whole, Alexander Lukashenko described the talks with Ilham Aliyev as productive. The strategic nature of Belarus-Azerbaijan relations was reaffirmed as well as the absence of problems in the bilateral relations and the presence of goodwill and aspirations geared towards cooperation. “I appreciate a lot the trustful and sincere atmosphere of meetings with my colleague. We openly and productively discuss all the items on the international agenda without an exception,” stressed the Belarus president.

In his words, the negotiations were primarily focused on successful trade, economic, and investment cooperation. Agreements were reached that will give an additional impulse to advancing the relations.

Alexander Lukashenko described the operation of the Ganja automobile plant as an excellent example of mutually beneficial cooperation. Over the course of 11 years the plant has assembled over 10,000 MTZ tractors and utility vehicles based on them. The enterprise has also made over 3,500 MAZ automobiles and trailers. “The localization rate is close to half now. It speaks volumes about the great capabilities of the Azerbaijani production sector and its high workforce potential,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.

“I was pleased to learn today that the first Gomselmash grain harvesters are coming to Azerbaijan along with the American and German ones you buy,” added the head of state.

Speaking about the implementation of joint projects, Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the importance of export to third countries. Belarusian and Azerbaijani companies are already working on it, implementing a joint tractor assembly project in Turkey. “It is an important and promising avenue we are going to develop. It has become possible thanks to the stance of the president of Azerbaijan,” stressed the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko also mentioned Belarus’ interest in Azerbaijani investments and high-quality products.

The Belarus president sees untapped opportunities for cooperation in healthcare, education, information and communication technologies, sport, and tourism. “The implementation of today’s agreements will allow very soon converting our intentions into concrete deeds. For instance, work is already in progress to set up a joint venture in Azerbaijan to make Belarusian medications. I am absolutely convinced that we will implement other large-scale and interesting projects soon, too,” said the head of state.

“There are no unresolved issues or topics we don’t discuss in our relations. Belarus and Azerbaijan will always remain reliable strategic partners. I am convinced that traditionally productive cooperation, mutual support will remain a distinctive trait of Belarusian-Azerbaijani relations,” concluded Alexander Lukashenko.