MINSK, 19 November (BelTA) - Belarus and Azerbaijan are going to branch out into third countries together, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said during the talks with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on 19 November, BelTA has learned.
The Belarusian head of state remarked that the countries have laid a foundation for broad industrial cooperation. “A good example of this work was demonstrated by the Belarusian machine-building flagships, MTZ and MAZ, and Ganja Auto Plant. More than 10,000 tractors and 3,500 automotive vehicles have been already assembled in Ganja. Today we are prepared to begin a new stage of cooperation - joint advancement to the markers of third countries,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
In his words, the project to manufacture tractors in Turkey with the participation of the Minsk and Ganja plants is in the pipeline. “Such initiatives are the thing of the future, and they should be in the spotlight,” the Belarusian leader is convinced.
According to the president, there are also good prospects in such industries as the delivery and assembly of electric buses, elevators, grain harvesters and other agricultural equipment in Azerbaijan. “We expect that sooner or later you will stop using American and German harvesters. We know how it goes: when a harvester is broken you need to pay as much for spare parts and other stuff. Therefore, some time ago we decided to manufacture our own harvesters, and the decision was right. I think that we will win in this sector. So we are ready to set up a joint venture to produce this equipment in Azerbaijan and even focus on third countries,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
The head of state deemed it necessary to expand contacts in the agrarian sector, raise mutual food supplies. “Our dairy, meat and fish products, confectionery sell well in Azerbaijan. International trade is a road with two-way traffic. Therefore, we would like to see more Azerbaijani products on the Belarusian market,” the president said.
In this context, he mentioned the Trading House of Azerbaijan in Minsk. “This is the future. And the prospect of developing this network is in the oblast capitals.”
Alexander Lukashenko remarked that not only Belarusian citizens buy corresponding products from Azerbaijan. “There is a lot of movement in connection with the Ukrainian events. Azerbaijani products are in high demand. Moreover, Azerbaijani people know how to trade. We should learn from you,” the president said.
He praised the opening of the Trading House of Azerbaijan in Minsk and stressed that this project is supported. The Belarusian side will continue supporting proposals aimed at a balanced increase in bilateral trade.
The head of state also sees great prospects in pharmaceutics. He wants to coordinate efforts in information and communication technologies, science and culture. “We will continue training personnel for Azerbaijan (as many specialists as you need in any fields), including training your rescuers at the University of Civil Protection of the Emergencies Ministry of Belarus,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
“Our law enforcement agencies , social security bodies, agricultural and telecom organizations traditionally maintain close and active bilateral contacts,” the Belarusian leader continued.
He also thanked Azerbaijan for cooperation with the Directorate of the 2nd European Games, for support and assistance in the preparations for the sports event in 2019.
