Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Belarus is ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan in all avenues.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko made the remark at a meeting with Yagub Eyyubov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan in Belarus on March 10, according to BelTA.

“We trust your country and leadership. We are ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan in all avenues. There are absolutely no closed topics,” the president stressed.

President Lukashenko underscored that the two countries have always managed to resolve all topical issues.

“Today we have met to discuss and promptly address issues if there are any. Meanwhile, trade between the two sides increased last year in spite of all difficulties. Trade with Azerbaijan is very beneficial for us,” the Belarusian leader said.

The president also noted they have no concern when it comes to cooperation with Azerbaijan. "We are ready to set up our companies there. We are interested in your investments in the country and will provide absolute guarantees to you,” the president remarked.

He reminded that there are joint ventures to produce Belarusian tractors, freight vehicles, elevators and other equipment in Azerbaijan.

President Lukashenko noted with satisfaction that the production localization in a number of industries almost reached 50%. “It makes up 40% already, and it is a very good level. It means that you get the technologies that we promised you,” he noted adding that the promotion of joint products to third countries and the Caucasus region is the next envisioned step.

Alexander Lukashenko also thanked the Azerbaijani side for its support and assistance. “You have always met us halfway, have always supported us. We will do the same for the fraternal nation of Azerbaijan,” the president remarked.

Eyyubov, for his turn, noted that the attitude of the Belarusian president toward the Azerbaijani people is invaluable.

“Belarus is a country which attracts everyone. As a leader you have shown that you are a man of the people, that you always rely on your people and dedicated your whole life to your people. If Belarus had other natural resources, I think that this country would be the first country in the world because the main thing is not what you have, but the ability you have to make what you need using the available tools,” he said.

Eyyubov extended greetings of President Ilham Aliyev to the Belarusian head of state and thanked the president for his attitude as well as for his economic, trade, political, fraternal and friendly support.

Azerbaijan and Belarus relations have a deep history of cooperation. Both countries were part of the Russian Empire until 1918 and before gaining independence in 1991, they were part of the Soviet Union.

Diplomatic relations between two republics were established in 1993 but it is only over the past two decades that the two countries really started getting close.

Currently the two countries enjoy high level ties in various fields and closely cooperate within international organizations. Belarus opened its embassy in Azerbaijan in 2006, and Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Belarus in 2006.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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