Opinions & Interviews

SOCHI, 11 October (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to advance relations with Uzbekistan as fast as possible. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement as he met with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Sochi, Russia on 11 October, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko mentioned Belarus’ intention to advance interaction with Uzbekistan along all the avenues both countries are interested in. “You can rest assured we will do it fast. As fast as partners in Uzbekistan can keep up with us,” assured the Belarusian head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko explained that Belarus is ready for active actions in trade and economy. At the same time he noted: “If the state does not give a nudge, if me and you don’t keep an eye on these processes, problems will not be dealt with.”

As a promising avenue of cooperation Alexander Lukashenko mentioned textile industry. “You have cotton, we have technologies. And markets nearby. I am in favor of joint ventures. We can easily come to terms,” said the president.

According to the Belarusian head of state, the advancement of Belarus-Uzbekistan relations was slow in the past. Everything changed when Alexander Lukashenko met with Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Samarkand a year ago. The decision to do one’s best to advance the bilateral cooperation was made then. “It was a lightning-like meeting but it became momentous. You and I came to terms without signing any documents. We assigned people responsible and things started moving,” stated Alexander Lukashenko.

Alexander Lukashenko also pointed out that Belarus was the most advanced republic of the Soviet Union. The country has managed to preserve and develop all the necessary industries, which had been evolving for decades, and to encourage them to work for export. “We now sell technologies and merchandise. They beat foreign competition as far as prices and quality are concerned. It is the secret of why we can work in Venezuela, in Egypt, in Sudan, why we can work everywhere,” noted the Belarusian leader.