Events

MINSK, 16 December (BelTA) - Belarus intends to build up diplomatic presence in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said as he received credentials from foreign ambassadors on 16 December, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Belarus seeks to bolster ties with the nations of the African continent. “For every business person there is a scope of opportunities there. I am sure that the development of our planet is impossible without the involvement of the African continent. It is there where the main resources and reserves are located. It is very unfair that today Africa is at such a level of development, which is lower than Europe, and today this injustice is starting to be addressed,” said the Belarusian head of state. He stressed that Belarus cannot be excluded from this process and soon it will open a number of embassies in different regions of the African continent to promote its interests, not to the detriment of theirs. "The main principle of our policy is honesty and fairness. You can be sure that Belarusians are the most reliable people interested in the highest level of development of your continent,” said the Belarusian leader.

Speaking to Ambassadors of Uganda and Zambia, Alexander Lukashenko noted that he considers cooperation with those states as very promising. He drew attention to the fact that the overall capacity is far from being fully utilized. According to the Belarusian head of state, trade and education can be priority areas at the first stage of cooperation development.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Belarus would like to strengthen relations with Mongolia and Myanmar. "Our countries have no political differences and disputes, and this creates good prerequisites for the development of trade and economic cooperation. So far the level of trade, investment and cooperation in other areas has not been high and this is the fault of the Belarusian side,” the President said. Alexander Lukashenko cited investment, mining, the establishment of joint ventures and industrial cooperation as promising areas for intensified cooperation.

Receiving the credentials from the Ambassador of Oman, Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the high level of trust in relations between the two countries. He stressed that he sees strong prospects in developing contacts with Oman. “Further deepening of the bilateral cooperation meets the interests of both countries. It is in our power to bring relations to a qualitatively new level which would cover all major areas, including an active political dialogue and enhanced trade and economic cooperation,” said the Belarusian leader. He also noted that there are a number of projects that Belarus intends to implement in Oman and in other states with the help of Oman.