Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 30 October (BelTA) – The Belarusian-Turkish relations are productive and vibrant, Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleg Kravchenko said at a function held on 30 October to mark Turkey’s Republic Day, BelTA has learned.

The deputy minister of foreign affairs stressed that this date symbolizes not only the country gaining its independence, but also the unity of the Turkish people, their responsibility for the present and the future of the country. “We respect the wish of the Turkish authorities to ensure security and well-being of its nation, and the intention to expand partnership relations with other countries. We are confident that Turkey will continue making considerable contribution to the fight against international terrorism and security strengthening,” said Oleg Kravchenko.

He also noted that Belarus, since the first days of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries 25 years ago, has been attaching great importance to the development of partnership contacts with Turkey in all spheres.

“The Belarusian-Turkish relations are both cooperation between the two states and good contacts between our peoples. It is the atmosphere of friendship and sincere support, as well as common values, that unite the Belarusian and Turkish nations, determine our interstate relations,” the deputy minister said.

Oleg Kravchenko emphasized the importance of the official visit of the Turkish president to Minsk in November 2016, and also an active exchange of Belarusian and Turkish delegations.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Belarus Kezban Nilvana Darama expressed the opinion that the visit of the president of Turkey to Minsk symbolized a new stage of the Belarusian-Turkish interaction and helped intensify all-round contacts between the two states. She stressed that the results of the 25 years of the Belarusian-Turkish diplomatic relations testify to the good development of cooperation and great prospects for further cooperation between Belarus and Turkey.