BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

21/05/2007

Ahmadinejad stresses enhanced ties with Belarus

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here Monday stressed the importance of bolstering bilateral ties with Belarus in all areas.

President Ahmadinejad made the remark while talking to reporters at Tehran Mehrabad International Airport prior to his departure for Belarus.

"Tehran-Minsk ties are growing in all fields. The two countries enjoy close cooperation in various areas of transportation, energy, industry, economy and trade," he said.

He further assessed as "friendly, consolidated and growing" bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Iranian president said his visit to Minsk is taking place upon an official invitation by his Belarussian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko.

"Iran and Belarus reached several agreements during the last year visit to Tehran of the Belarussian president," he said adding that bilateral cooperation has recently witnessed great progress.

"Following up previous agreements and conclusion of the new ones are on the agenda of the current visit," Ahmadinejad added.

He expressed hope the visit would pave the way for eyecatching promotion in bilateral relations.

Ahmadinejad left Tehran for Minsk this morning on an official two-day visit to hold talks with Belarussian officials.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister of Commerce Massoud Mir-Kazemi, Majlis deputies Mohsen Kouhkan and Alaeddin Boroujerdi and Managing Director of Iran Khodro Auto Manufacturing Company Manouchehr Manteqi are accompanying the president in his visit.

Source:

http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-236/0705217020094758.htm