Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 4 September (BelTA) – Bolivian President Evo Morales has suggested expanding Belarus’ presence in Latin America by means of closer ties with Bolivia. Evo Morales made this statement as he met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on 4 September, BelTA has learnt.

Evo Morales noted that Belarus and Bolivia have just started promoting the bilateral cooperation. “I would like to recall Cuba and Venezuela and our friend Hugo Chavez who helped us start these relations. We will pay tribute to Hugo Chavez by intensifying our cooperation,” the Bolivian President said.

Evo Morales expressed admiration and respect for social reforms and the policy in the interests of people carried out in Belarus. He emphasized that besides trade, Bolivia attaches much importance to diplomatic contacts. “At this meeting we would like to express trust in each other, share our values, and tell each other about our goals and objectives. I am glad that this meeting has an open agenda and we will be able to discuss all the matters related to Belarus’ presence in Bolivia and in entire Latin America on the model of cooperation with Venezuela,” Evo Morales said.

“Our comrade Hugo Chavez was more than just a middleman in our relations; he was a protocol representative of your country in entire Latin America. We would like to continue the things he started. Belarus-Venezuela cooperation model will be used as an example to promote cooperation with Bolivia and other countries of the region,” Evo Morales emphasized.