Opinions & Interviews

UFA, 9 July (BelTA) – Belarus and Afghanistan can advance cooperation in the near future so that it could match the potential of the two countries, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai in Ufa on 9 July, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that he had telephone talks with the Afghanistan president and the president’s special envoy to discuss the prospects of Belarus-Afghanistan cooperation. “Afghanistan is located not so far from us, and we can intensify our cooperation in the near future so that it could match the potential of our states,” the Belarusian leader said.

“Belarus believes, and, perhaps, this is true, that after the election of the new president the intensive process of stabilization and normalization of relations between various political and ethnic groups began in Afghanistan. We welcome it. We are concerned about the situation in Afghanistan due to a number of reasons,” Alexander Lukashenko noted.

The Belarusian head of state said he is satisfied with the fact that in spite of the war the countries did not grow bitter. They have turned this page of history and are building new relations. “We must help the people of Afghanistan restore the national economy, we must do everything we can to help the people of Afghanistan have a decent life. You have a strategic position in Asia, Afghanistan is a crucial link of the transit chain between north and south where giant countries with abundant natural resources are located,” the Belarusian leader said.

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that Afghanistan is in the heart of the fight against modern threats. According to the Belarusian president, all the states whose leaders are in Ufa today would like to see Afghanistan become a strong state. “This is because your country is dealing with drug trafficking and terrorist treats. Therefore, all countries should join efforts to strengthen Afghanistan in all dimensions, be it political and social ones, so that it could stand up to all the threats which exist in the world today,” Alexander Lukashenko noted.