Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: Belarus seeks to strengthen relations with Egypt on principles of equality, trust

MINSK, 18 June (BelTA) -  Belarus seeks to strengthen relations with Egypt on the principles of equality and trust, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko told the media after the talks with Egypt President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Minsk on 18 June, BelTA has learned.

“Egypt is an important reliable partner for us in Africa and the Middle East. Our country seeks to strengthen relations with the official Cairo based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and trust. We have built our relations without any preconditions. We have no complaints whatsoever towards our Egyptian friends,” the Belarusian leader noted.

The president described the results of the talks with the Egypt president as fruitful. He said that the parties discussed the modern geopolitical situation, noting the similarity of approaches to the key issues on the international agenda.

During the talks Aleksandr Lukashenko and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi focused on trade and economic relations, analyzed the execution of instructions and implementation of joint projects. “I can say with confidence that our agreements are being fulfilled. Both the Belarusian and Egyptian agencies are doing their best to implement the plans,” the president said. He stressed that Belarus and Egypt are launching a new phase of cooperation with the current visit of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to Minsk.

Over the past two years Belarus-Egypt trade almost doubled to exceed $100 million in 2018. Aleksandr Lukashenko is confident that the two countries have every opportunity for further growth. “We are aiming for more advanced and multipronged economic relations than just commodity exchange. We are interested in projects to promote Belarusian high-technology goods to Egypt, set up joint companies with a high degree of localization targeting sales markets both in Egypt and third countries. Such cooperation is mutually beneficial,” the head of state said.

Belarus also advocates free movement of goods and supports Egypt’s proposal to sign a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Egypt.

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