Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 23 March (BelTA) – Belarus and Pakistan managed to advance bilateral cooperation to a brand-new level within a short period of time, Belarus’ Information Minister Lilia Ananich said at the event to celebrate the National Day of Pakistan, BelTA has learned.

Lilia Ananich emphasized that Belarus praised the role of Pakistan in the international arena, the country’s efforts to enhance security. “Belarus views Pakistan as one of the priority partners in the region and is interested in the development of all-round cooperation,” the minister remarked.

In her opinion, 2015 was a landmark year for the Belarusian-Pakistani relations. The visit of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko to Pakistan played a key role in the expansion of bilateral contacts. During the visit the sides signed a number of important top-level agreements and bilateral documents aimed at the development cooperation in various fields.

Another important event of the year 2015 was the visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Belarus. The third important event was the trip of Belarus Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov to Pakistan.

Within a year the countries managed to make such progress which is made by other countries within decades, the minister said.

She also stressed that the two countries created a rather good legal framework, established joint commissions for trade, economic, scientific, and technical cooperation rather quickly. It is important that the Belarusian information and cultural center was opened in Pakistan last year. Plans have been made to open a similar institution in Minsk.

“These steps promote the rapprochement of our countries,” Lilia Ananich is convinced.

In her opinion, the instruction of the two presidents to raise the bilateral trade to $1 billion is very important for Belarus. Various agencies and enterprises are doing their best to fulfill this instruction. The roadmap of cooperation signed by Belarus and Pakistan specifies the prospects of short-term and long-term work.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Pakistan to Belarus Masud Khan Raja also pointed out the importance of the Belarusian-Pakistani cooperation. “Pakistan prioritizes the enhancement of friendship with Belarus,” the diplomat stressed.

He praised the positive dynamics in bilateral relations. In his opinion, the active exchange of visits was beneficial for the bilateral ties.

The Ambassador spoke about the achievements of Pakistan on the international arena, the eagerness of the Pakistani nation led by the head of state to ensure peace, security, and stability in the country and in the region. According to the diplomat, Pakistan implements peace-loving foreign policy and does its utmost to combat all forms of terrorism.

“The leadership of Pakistan outlines peaceful development priorities for the benefit of the country and other nations,” Masud Khan Raja remarked.