MINSK, 29 May (BelTA) - Belarus highly values cooperation and time-tested friendship with Azerbaijan, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko said at an event to mark Azerbaijan's Independence Day on 28 May, BelTA has learned.
“I congratulate you on Azerbaijan's national holiday - Independence Day. Today Azerbaijan is a state with a fast-developing economy, a strong government, leading positions in the region and in the international arena in general. Belarus sees it as a result of the creative course successfully pursued by President Ilham Aliyev to build a confident and sovereign country,” Igor Petrishenko said.
In his words, the relations between Belarus and Azerbaijan have been tested by time and shared history, are based on mutual respect, trust and unwavering support. “The two countries have been actively developing political, trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation, expanding direct ties between the cities and regions. The recent successful state visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has confirmed that our strategic partnership will continue to strengthen and develop on the basis of the traditions of friendship and mutual understanding. This visit has become a powerful impetus for moving towards each other,” the deputy prime minister said.
The two countries have agreed to gradually increase mutual trade to $1 billion by 2030, balancing export and import flows. “We have decided to considerably expand production cooperation: along with tractors, we will assemble utilities, fire-fighting and other equipment, as well as Belarusian elevators in Azerbaijan. We plan to create joint production of medicines and veterinary drugs, and also produce mixed fertilizers from Azerbaijani nitrogen and Belarusian potassium. We will share experience and provide assistance in training specialists in blue-collar jobs. During the visit, we expanded the bilateral legal framework with nine documents. We concluded foreign trade contracts worth tens of millions of US dollars,” Igor Petrishenko said.
“Belarus highly appreciates the time-tested friendship with Azerbaijan and our comprehensive cooperation, which is mutually beneficial, equal, sustainable and not subject to the current geopolitical situation. We are confident that we can always count on each other's support,” the Belarusian deputy prime minister said.
