Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 10 November (BelTA) – Belarus and Turkey are entering a new phase in developing their relations, Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said in an interview with the Anadolu News Agency ahead of the official visit of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Minsk, BelTA has learned.

“Since we take similar positions in the international arena and the positions of the two countries on the domestic policy are much alike, the bilateral cooperation between Belarus and Turkey have been steadily developing. We have approached this visit with a robust level of cooperation in the political sector and successful development of political contacts. I think that these are the trustworthy, warm and friendly contacts which were established between the two heads of state long time ago that have led to the two countries entering a new level in their bilateral cooperation today,” noted Vladimir Makei.

Belarus and Turkey have made great headway in their trade and economic cooperation. The two countries have been actively developing contacts in science, education, and tourism. “The forthcoming visit will provide both the parties with an opportunity to discuss the issues of bilateral cooperation, including their political, trade, economic and other relations. The two countries will also be able to talk over the cooperation in the international arena, the situation in our regions, which, unfortunately, cannot be characterized as stable,” the Belarusian minister stated.

According to Vladimir Makei, Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit testifies to the mutual interest of Belarus and Turkey in strengthening all-round cooperation. “Since there are problems in our regions, with crisis matters still dominating the world economy, this visit seems to be capable of providing us a chance to discuss the ways of reaching a higher level of cooperation between the states. It is of high importance for our countries,” he said.

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Belarus has recently intensified its steps to join the World Trade Organization. “We believe that it is in the interests of both Belarus and our foreign economic partners. Turkey plays an important role here. Turkey is a member of the working group on Belarus’ WTO entry. In 2010 a representative of Turkey was made in charge of the group,” Vladimir Makei explained. Belarus’ accession to the WTO will help the country boost its bilateral trade and cooperation with Turkey on various international platforms.