News & Events in Belarus

MINSK, 22 July (BelTA) – Mozambique can become one of the anchor points for Belarus in Africa, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Prime Minister of Mozambique Alberto Vaquina on 22 July, BelTA has learned.

“We have been looking for the foothold in Africa, the states with which we could cooperate. In our opinion, Mozambique could be one of such states,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian head of state expressed hope that the visit of the Prime Minister of Mozambique will help the sides reach considerable progress in bilateral relations. According to the President, the history of the bilateral relations that were established in the Soviet times can contribute to this process.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Mozambique is the state with a great potential and huge deposits of natural resources. “Such countries as Mozambique will shape the future,” the Belarusian leader remarked.

The President said that the economies of the two countries are complementary and do not compete with each other. At the same time, he remarked that $10 million worth of bilateral trade does not meet the potential of the two states. “We have not developed the legal framework of our relations yet. Your visit will help intensify relations in this field,” the head of state said.

“You should know that we are not strangers for you. We are ready to cooperate with you in all avenues. There are no closed topics in cooperation for us,” the Belarusian leader added.

Mr Alberto Vaquina, for his part, extended wishes of prosperity from the President of Mozambique and thanked Belarus for hospitality. He said that there are many areas where Belarus and Mozambique could cooperate, including agriculture and production of agricultural equipment.

According to the Prime Minister of Mozambique, favorable political and diplomatic relations between the two sides help promote bilateral contacts. “As a result of the visit, and not only the visit, we will be able to do everything to expand these ties,” he said.