Opinions & Interviews

Turkey looks forward to Belarus president’s visit

MINSK, 25 March (BelTA) – Turkey is getting ready for the forthcoming visit of the Belarus president, BelTA learned from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Belarus Kezban Nilvana Darama in her speech in the House of Friendship on 25 March. A public function took place in the House of Friendship to mark the 27th anniversary of establishment of Belarusian-Turkish relations.

The diplomat drew attention to the importance of exchanging visits, including top-level ones. She mentioned active dialogue and cooperation between Belarus and Turkey and the lack of any problems and contradictions between them. “It means we have common approaches to many matters,” Kezban Nilvana Darama believes.

The Turkish ambassador also thanked Belarusians for their strong interest in the Turkish language, culture, and history.

In turn, Andrei Bushilo, Head of the Central Office for Europe and North America of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that Turkey will always be special for Belarus. Turkey was the first country to recognize Belarus’ independence in 1991. It was an important step towards further international and legal establishment of the young Belarusian state. Diplomatic relations, which Belarus and Turkey established in 1992, laid the foundation for advancing bilateral contacts at all levels and in all spheres.

Andrei Bushilo noted that Belarus-Turkey cooperation has been built from the very start on principles of mutual trust and respect. Belarus-Turkey cooperation still represents an example of friendly, constructive, and mutually beneficial dialogue at present.

Andrei Bushilo also remarked that Belarus views Turkey as a reliable friend, a promising partner in the international scene, and speaks in favor of systematically and persistently building up the bilateral relations. The diplomat believes that the official visit of Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Minsk in November 2016 is a convincing testimony to the high level of Belarus-Turkey cooperation.

“Guided by agreements of the heads of state and government, we’ve managed to get as close as possible to the bilateral trade turnover of $1 billion while the figure was half of that five years ago. It means there is a good potential for raising it further, for taking the economic relations to the next level where we will make transition from simple merchandise trade to more advanced forms of cooperation – manufacturing cooperation, mutual investments, joint R&D efforts,” Andrei Bushilo stressed.

Nina Ivanova, Chairwoman of the Belarusian Society for Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, underlined the importance of advancing Belarusian-Turkish cultural relations, too. Poetry and songs in Turkish were performed during the public function, including by Belarusian university students.

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