Lukashenko: Belarus, Azerbaijan need to expand trade

(BelTA) – Belarus and Azerbaijan should work harder to expand trade, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov on 6 October, BelTA reported.

“The trade of $300 million and even $500 million is insufficient for our countries,” the head of state said.

“We would like Azerbaijan to become a manufacturing hub for many goods which can be sold across the region,” the Belarusian leader said. He noted that Belarus attaches great attention to developing the production of the most popular Belarusian equipment in Azerbaijan. According to the President, it is also important as Azerbaijani companies always support such projects financially. “It is great: no need to seek and ask for loans. They can get funds locally. This is also profitable for financial institutions that provide funds for such projects and producers themselves,” the head of state said.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, the two countries have been developing all-round cooperation. The head of state noted that there are no closed themes in the relations between Belarus and Azerbaijan. “We have never intended to cooperate against anyone,” the Belarusian leader said.

The President emphasized that he has great relations with the President of Azerbaijan: “We trust each other. Our friendship makes the basis of good interstate relations.” Alexander Lukashenko noted that Belarusians always remember good things. “You have always supported and helped us in difficult times. We remember it. So if anyone has questions about our close cooperation and friendship with Azerbaijan, we can say that it cannot be otherwise. You have always supported, helped and understood us. We also do everything possible to support Azerbaijan and we will do it in future,” Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.

The President believes that the two countries have big cooperation prospects.

For his part, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan stressed that Azerbaijan views the bilateral relations in a similar light. “We also seek to bolster trade ties with Belarus. From the political point of view we have mutual understanding on almost every issue on the international agenda,” he said.

Bakudaily.Az