/ / News
28.08.2012

Belarus committed to promoting relations with Azerbaijan

MINSK, 28 August (BelTA) – President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko reaffirmed commitment to further promoting relations with Azerbaijan in all areas as he met with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on 28 August, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko said: “You have arrived in a very friendly country where you are loved and respected for the great deeds you have accomplished for our country, unconventional deeds sometimes, to support Belarus in time of need. It was related to the independence issue. And the Belarusians know about it”.

He underlined that Belarus and Azerbaijan had no topics to avoid at negotiations or in the mutual relations altogether. “We will always respond to any question that you may ask and Azerbaijan needs,” said the Belarusian head of state.

The Belarus President pointed out the strategic nature of cooperation between the two countries. In 2011 Belarus-Azerbaijan trade was close to $1 billion. This year it has been lagging behind a bit but Alexander Lukashenko confirmed the resolve of the Belarusian side to catch up.

The two countries are connected by many years of friendship. According to Alexander Lukashenko, since Heydar Aliyev’s times the foundation of the mutual relations has been built but a major breakthrough has been achieved in recent years with assistance of Ilham Aliyev. “We will continue working for the benefit of the two nations and you will never complain about us,” remarked the head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko underlined that meetings with his Azerbaijani counterpart had become a tradition and they allowed controlling the fulfillment of agreements.

In turn, Ilham Aliyev said that the tradition allows seeing excellent results: joint ventures operate, the bilateral trade is on the rise, and success has been achieved in various areas.

Ilham Aliyev said: “We are glad we have managed to make our own contribution to resolving the issues that had been a priority for you. The nature and essence of our relations provides for mutual support. If one of us needs it, we should always lend a shoulder”. The Azerbaijan President believes that the 20 years of relations between the two countries have seen enough confirmations that Belarus and Azerbaijan are strategic partners. Ilham Aliyev invited Alexander Lukashenko to visit Azerbaijan at a time of his convenience.

At today’s talks the two heads of state intend to analyze what the countries have done already and to outline new projects and initiatives.