Events

MINSK, 8 October (BelTA) – It is impossible to worsen Belarus-Turkmenistan relations, the relations are too far advanced. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement in an interview with Turkmen mass media on 7 October, BelTA has learned.

Belarus and Turkmenistan have created a model of bilateral relations, as part of which the presidents exchange visits on an annual basis in order to verify the fulfillment of previous high-level arrangements. “The governments and the officials have no way out then. They understand perfectly well that if a decision is made this year, then the next year the presidents will met and will ask questions regarding the fulfillment of the decision. This simple formula of relations at the top level gives solid results. Therefore, every year the bilateral trade turnover has been gaining over $100 million,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The sides also have no differences of opinion regarding the international agenda. “We uphold similar views. We have always treated each other as partners in international organizations, we support each other. In particular, you support our initiatives in the United Nations Organization and vice versa,” noted the Belarus President. “It is also an example for other countries to follow if they wish to build friendly relations between two states”.

“You remember we have stated that our relations are strategic,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko. “It means a lot. We act with this statement in mind. We concretize our relations every year by coming up with concrete programs and signing concrete contracts”.

According to the Belarusian head of state, there are some issues in the bilateral relations that take time to address. “But it is important that these issues are being dealt with. The will of the presidents in this instance is unshakeable and is being enforced,” said the Belarusian leader. “I don’t like empty words and empty talks. I like reaching an agreement and acting upon it. If something cannot be done, let’s not make such agreements. I and the president of Turkmenistan follow this principle: if we agree on something, we will accomplish it”.

Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the role of personal relations between the leaders of the countries. Such relations provide positive influence on interstate ties. “Personal relations are very much important for interstate relations. Regardless of the countries involved. In our countries where the presidents play the main role in foreign policy and economic processes personal relations between the two heads of state represent a most important factor for the development of interstate relations,” said the Belarus President.

“Still interest is the key. We have managed to build our relations using our personal relations in a way to make the interstate relations unshakeable in the face of shocks and opinions of civil servants. We have already created a foundation that no one will destroy, even the presidents, because the cost of doing so would be catastrophic for the economy,” noted the Belarusian head of state. “In a good sense we are past the point of no return. It is impossible to worsen our relations now because they are so far advanced”.