Belarus calls for close coop. with Iran to counter West

Belarus and Iran should cooperate more closely with each other to counter the attacks of the West, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with First Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Mokhber in Minsk on 17 October, BelTA has learned.

“I hope you will not be disappointed with your visit. We have a lot of issues to discuss. I hope our conversation will yield good practical results,” Aleksandr Lukashenko told Mokhber who is visiting Minsk on the 30th anniversary of official ties between Iran and Belarus.

“You know the situation in Belarus. It is about the same as your country has. The pressure exerted on our states is unprecedented, but you have already learned to resist it to some extent, and your experience is valuable to us. What I am constantly surprised by is that during these large-scale actions, Iran has not decreased the level of its development, but, on the contrary, has significantly increased it.”

Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko also told Iranian First Vice President in a separate meeting that Belarus and Iran stick to the win-win principle in economic cooperation.

“We are well aware of the kind, warm feelings that your country has for the Republic of Belarus. I want to tell you that Belarusian parliamentarians remain committed to strengthening friendship and bilateral cooperation for the benefit of our peoples,” Vladimir Andreichenko said, Belta News reported.

“It is symbolic that your visit is taking place in the year when the Republic of Belarus and the Islamic Republic of Iran mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. This year our president has visited your country to determine the further strategy of our interaction,” he continued.

“As far as the economy is concerned, we adhere to the win-win principle in our cooperation,” the speaker emphasized.

“And you know, despite the sanctions our trade exceeded $100 million last year. Now we need to keep it up. This matter has been discussed at the meetings with the president and the prime minister of our country today. I think that although your visit is brief, you will be able to assess our potential in industry, culture, and human resources. Our meetings and negotiations will help explore new possibilities to promote our cooperation,” he concluded.

Sanctions must be turned into opportunities, Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber said during a meeting with Speaker of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko and Speaker of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova.

“We are two countries that are subject to illegal, oppressive sanctions by the United States. But the Islamic Republic of Iran has been able to use the sanctions turning them into an opportunity,” Mohammad Mokhber said.

“We have achieved the highest results at a time of sanctions,” Iran’s first vice president said. “We used to be dependent in many areas of the country’s life. Now Iran produces the most advanced military equipment. We have very good results in technology and science.”

RHM/PR