BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

06/11/2006

Iran, Belarus Boost Cooperation

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here on Monday voiced Iran's enthusiasm for the speedy expansion of cooperation with Belarus in various technological, scientific and economic areas.

Speaking in a meeting with the visiting Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, the Iranian president also voiced Tehran's preparedness to transfer experience to Minsk, and added, "We would also like to utilize all the potentials and capabilities of Belarus."

A statement released by the Presidential Press Office said that also during the meeting, Ahmadinejad stressed the two countries' common interests and viewpoints about global issues, and expressed pleasure with the two states' resolve to further develop mutual ties and relations.

"We are serious to use all the existing potentials in various grounds so as to promote Tehran-Minsk cooperation," he reiterated.

The chief executive official further expressed the hope that the visit to Tehran by his Belarusian counterpart would serve as a cornerstone in the two countries' lustrous and friendly ties.

He also voiced enthusiasm for boosting cooperation and mutual use of potentials and capabilities.

Ahmadinejad stressed that Iran-Belarus ties could set a desirable paradigm for regional and bilateral cooperation, and continued, "Considering the desirable agreements reached by the two countries' experts in recent talks, we hope to endorse cooperation agreements in different areas, such as energy and oil, industry, education and technology, trade and joint venture as well as defense."

He also lauded Lukashenko's mighty and courageous stances on global and international issues, particularly his support for Iran's nuclear rights and interests, adding, "The Islamic Republic of Iran is interested in the progress, prosperity and independence of Belarus and supports further advancements by that country."

For his part, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said he was pleased with the good pace of the promotion and development of the two countries' relations, and noting the two countries' brotherly and cordial bonds, he said that his visit to Tehran could play a significant role in the regulation of a long-term strategy for the expansion and development of the two states' relations.

He also assured that once the existing barriers are removed the two countries' economic exchanges could reach USD1 billion with no difficulty.

The Belarusian top executive official stressed that rapid solution of problems in areas of banking, customs and preferred tariffs could pave the ground for the removal of all problems and obstacles in the way of the expansion of the two countries' trade ties.

He also underlined that the Islamic Republic of Iran can count on Belarus, as a good friend and partner in central Europe, for the materialization and achievement of its goals.

Lukashenko also voiced his country's preparedness for any kind of cooperation and joint ventures with Iran.

Stressing that Minsk is ready to make investments in Iran's oil exploration sector, he praised Ahmadinejad's special attention and efforts for further expansion of the two sides' relations.

To end his remarks, Lukashenko extended an invitation to Ahmadinejad to pay a visit to Belarus in order for the further development of the two countries' ties.

Ahmadinejad, in return, appreciated his Belarusian colleague and accepted the invitation.

Source:

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8508150529

Google