12.01.2012
Belarus seeks closer economic ties with Armenia
MINSK, 12 January (BelTA) - Belarus would like to intensify trade and economic cooperation with Armenia and further develop the relations within the framework of the CSTO, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Secretary General of the National Security Council of Armenia Artur Bagdasaryan in Minsk on 12 January.
The head of state stressed that Belarus and Armenia will have to do a lot to intensify trade and economic ties. The President expressed regret that last year Belarusian-Armenian trade declined. He also recalled that in the history of relations between Belarus and Armenia there was a period when the bilateral trade was zero. However, the potential for the development of relations is huge. Before the visit of Artur Bagdasaryan to Minsk, the Armenian side proposed to intensify relations. The Armenian side is ready to buy various Belarusian goods, from machinery to consumer products.
The head of state said that he would order the Government to intensify cooperation with Armenia. “We will find ways to supply the commodities to Armenia that you have requested about. We can also set up joint ventures,” Alexander Lukashenko said. At first it can be assembling of some types of equipment, then – joint production in Armenia,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
The Belarusian leader named collaboration in the CSTO as the second important area of cooperation with Armenia. “We have no closed topics here. Please feel free to send here your specialists, we are ready to discuss any issue,” the head of state said.
The President thanked Armenia for support in the international arena. In his words, the recent international events showed that Belarus and Armenia have similar positions on many issues.
Alexander Lukashenko assured that Belarus would always value the friendship with Armenia and will stay committed to the agreements signed with this country.
Artur Bagdasaryan, on his part, emphasized that Belarus is Armenia’s ally and that the development of bilateral strategic partnership will proceed in the same pace. He expressed confidence that the visit would contribute to the Belarusian-Armenian trade and economic links as well as contacts in the military and technical cooperation.
The head of state stressed that Belarus and Armenia will have to do a lot to intensify trade and economic ties. The President expressed regret that last year Belarusian-Armenian trade declined. He also recalled that in the history of relations between Belarus and Armenia there was a period when the bilateral trade was zero. However, the potential for the development of relations is huge. Before the visit of Artur Bagdasaryan to Minsk, the Armenian side proposed to intensify relations. The Armenian side is ready to buy various Belarusian goods, from machinery to consumer products.
The head of state said that he would order the Government to intensify cooperation with Armenia. “We will find ways to supply the commodities to Armenia that you have requested about. We can also set up joint ventures,” Alexander Lukashenko said. At first it can be assembling of some types of equipment, then – joint production in Armenia,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
The Belarusian leader named collaboration in the CSTO as the second important area of cooperation with Armenia. “We have no closed topics here. Please feel free to send here your specialists, we are ready to discuss any issue,” the head of state said.
The President thanked Armenia for support in the international arena. In his words, the recent international events showed that Belarus and Armenia have similar positions on many issues.
Alexander Lukashenko assured that Belarus would always value the friendship with Armenia and will stay committed to the agreements signed with this country.
Artur Bagdasaryan, on his part, emphasized that Belarus is Armenia’s ally and that the development of bilateral strategic partnership will proceed in the same pace. He expressed confidence that the visit would contribute to the Belarusian-Armenian trade and economic links as well as contacts in the military and technical cooperation.