MINSK, 26 July (BelTA) – Belarus and Azerbaijan have not just preserved bilateral relations but have expanded them, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with outgoing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Belarus Latif Gandilov on 26 July, BelTA has learned.
“This looks like some bad tradition: our best friends-ambassadors are leaving and we have to hope that those who come after them will be good friends of ours, and we will be able to build the kindest relations with Azerbaijan just as we did during your tenure. I have no doubt, however, that we will have good relations with Azerbaijan, because we have done a lot to build these relations at all levels based on mutual understanding,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The president stressed that the peoples of the two countries enjoy good, close and friendly relations.
“These are brotherly relations, as we often call them. This is an example of good relations since the Soviet Union time: we were once part of one state and had good, even excellent relations. We have not just preserved them but expanded the relations. Of course, you have done a lot for that. You are a true friend of our people. I hope that no matter where you work after Minsk, Belarus will remain in your heart,” the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked the Azerbaijani diplomat for his understanding of the complicated processes in Belarus. The president added that Belarus was also concerned about the conflict that escalated between Azerbaijan and Armenia last year.
“Thanks mainly to the position of Azerbaijan and your president, you managed to stabilize the situation and come to a peaceful resolution of the problems. Of course, the path to peace has only just begun. Both Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples deserve a calm, peaceful life,” the Belarusian leader stressed.
Speaking about the development of trade and economic relations with Azerbaijan, Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus is always ready to provide technical and technological assistance. He thanked Azerbaijan for hydrocarbons supplies to Belarus. “You have not given in to the pressure of Western countries. You keep your word. You act as we have agreed. This is worth a lot in the modern world. You can count on us, we are ready to implement the agreements that were reached during my recent visit to Azerbaijan,” said the president.
After the meeting with the Belarusian head of state, Ambassador Latif Gandilov said that relations between Azerbaijan and Belarus have a solid foundation, the countries always look forward and set important goals together. “We have been able to achieve all the goals over these years. We have no unresolved issues,” the diplomat stressed.
“Belarus is a brotherly state for us. The prestige of the state is high. We have always been there for you and will always be,” the ambassador concluded.
