MINSK, 24 November (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has received credentials of ambassadors of six countries and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. The solemn ceremony took place in the Palace of Independence on 24 November, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko received credentials of ambassadors of Bangladesh, Israel, Cambodia, China, Namibia, Pakistan, and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
The head of state stressed that Belarus is a reliable partner for the countries that the ambassadors represent. “We have something to offer you for cooperation,” the president said.
On China
Addressing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Belarus Xie Xiaoyong, Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Our relations with the People's Republic of China are a trust-based comprehensive strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation. It says it all (all this is set forth in international agreements). This philosophy underlies all areas of our cooperation.”
The president pointed out that Belarus is an active participant of China's Belt and Road initiative. “Today, this is a truly effective project that yields concrete results. We have facilitated and will continue facilitating its alignment with the integration processes in the Eurasian Economic Union as much as possible,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
He cited the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone as a vivid example of the bilateral cooperation. The industrial park is already home to about 70 high-tech foreign companies.
Moreover, two more important projects for Belarus have kicked off this year: the construction of a national football stadium and a world-class swimming pool financed by China.
“Belarus' export to China has been growing steadily. According to our estimates, this year, our agricultural export to China will reach $200 million for the first time. I believe that this is just the beginning,” the Belarusian president noted.
On Israel
Describing the relations between Belarus and Israel, the president noted that the two countries are bound by centuries-old friendship, and share the common tragedy of the bloodiest war in the history of mankind.
"Our states have been consistently defending the absolute inadmissibility of revising its results and heroizing Nazism (by the way, our parliament will soon consider a bill on the inadmissibility of the heroization of Nazism in Belarus). Many countries, especially those near us, have been known for the attempts to heroize Nazism. They should not do it. I am convinced that no merits to the fatherland can justify crimes against humanity," the Belarusian leader stressed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko hopes that the countries will continue cooperation in the field of information and biotechnology, robotics, and artificial intelligence. "There is something we can offer you. We know your level of development," the president said.
On the Order of Malta
"Belarus has a significant experience of bilateral cooperation with the Order of Malta, which we are grateful to for the great humanitarian aid, supplies of medical equipment, training of Belarusian doctors," the head of state said.
He also noted that the Order of Malta has been actively cooperating with Belarus as part of international efforts to combat human trafficking.
On Pakistan
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, Belarus attaches special importance to cooperation with Pakistan. “After the opening of the diplomatic missions, Minsk and Islamabad made a real breakthrough in all areas of cooperation. Today we need to make a good use of our achievements and focus more on industry, agriculture, education, pharmaceuticals and healthcare. The main thing is not to stop. We must move forward, despite all sorts of cataclysms here and there," the head of state stressed.
The president noted that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to visit Minsk.
On Bangladesh
Belarus views the People's Republic of Bangladesh as an important and promising partner, the president said. He added that the two countries have recently stepped up their interaction in the trade and economic sector. “The opportunities are great here. We see good prospects for mutual cooperation in industry, agriculture, pharmaceutics and education. The positions of our countries are also close on the main issues on the international agenda,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
On Cambodia
This year Belarus and Cambodia have celebrated the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations. “Over the period of time the two countries have developed a legal framework and working bodies for cooperation. It is time to actively move towards concrete projects. We are ready for it,” the president said.
“Belarus' technological capabilities can largely meet the needs of the rapidly developing economy of Cambodia. Apart from machinery and equipment supplies, our enterprises are ready to intensify industrial cooperation, to participate in the development of transport and energy infrastructure of Cambodia and in the mining industry. We are ready to create the enterprises you need and train workforce for you,” the Belarusian leader said.
On Namibia
“Our potential of cooperation with Namibia is still hugely untapped. Today we are only at the start of formatting our relations. I am absolutely convinced that we need to be focused on achieving practical results in the long-term perspective of our cooperation,” the president said.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, it is necessary to focus on increasing mutual trade and implementing joint projects in energy and agriculture.
At the end of the ceremony the head of state congratulated the diplomats on the official start of their mission in Belarus. “I hope that you will provide your leadership with unbiased and objective information about our country. We are ready to help you in this. I hope that your experience and professionalism will become a solid foundation for constructive cooperation, and its practical results will not be long in coming,” the president said.
