News & Events in Belarus
Belarus-Iran trade potential assessed at $1bn
MINSK, 7 September (BelTA) – Belarus and Iran are capable of reaching $1 billion in mutual trade, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the meeting with Speaker of the Parliament of Iran Ali Larijani on 7 September, BelTA has learned.
“I am convinced that following your visit it will be possible to say that our relations have risen to a higher level. We have wonderful political relations. The economy, however, still leaves much to be desired. Trade and economic relations should be more developed,” the head of state noted.
Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the mutual trade of $300-400 million is nothing for the potential of the two countries. “Our mutual trade needs to be $1 billion,” the president said.
According to the head of state, the Belarusian-Iranian relations should be more than just partnership. “Our relations should be similar to those which very friendly and close states have. We have all conditions for it. We have products that are critical for Iran. We can also buy a lot of commodities from Iran,” said Alexander Lukashenko.
According to the president, the number one goal for the two states is to implement the bilateral agreements. “We will do it on our part, I guarantee this to you,” the Belarusian leader said.
Ali Larijani thanked Alexander Lukashenko for the opportunity to visit Belarus, and also conveyed greetings to the Belarusian head of state from the Iranian leadership. “We also convinced that the Republic of Belarus is a friendly country for us, and we fully trust it,” he stressed.
After the meeting with the Belarusian head of state, the speaker of the Iranian parliament told the media that Belarus and Iran have friendly relations. “We enjoy close cooperation in the international arena, hold regular consultations on important regional issues. The level of inter-parliamentary relations is also very good,” he said.
When asked about the ways to develop trade and economic cooperation and also the prospects for reaching the level of trade set out by the Belarusian president, Ali Larijani noted that Alexander Lukashenko voiced good ideas regarding the expansion of the relations. “We agree with his opinion in general. There are many potential opportunities both in Iran and Belarus which need to be intensified. We have discussed agriculture, industry and other sectors. We will discuss these issues with our counterparts in the Belarusian parliament,” he said.
As for Belarus-Iran cooperation in the oil sector, Ali Larijani said: “One of the aspects of our trade and economic cooperation is oil. We discuss all the aspects of trade and economic relations.” The Iranian representative added that impetus should be added to this and other areas of cooperation.
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