Fundamental steps taken to improve ties with Belarus: Iranian President

Speaking in a joint press conference with the President of Belarus at the end of the signing ceremony of cooperation documents between the two countries, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi described Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to Tehran as a turning point for the development of Tehran-Minsk relations.

The President said, “Today, after 30 years of friendly relations, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Belarus have designed a comprehensive road map for the development of their strategic relations in various fields, which will definitely lead to a different future”.

Raisi added, “This roadmap, based on the conditions and capacities of Iran and Belarus, will clarify the path of the two countries for cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields”.

In another part of his speech, the President stated, “Despite the threats and sanctions, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been able to take great steps towards progress and create opportunities for itself from the sanctions”.

Ayatollah Raisi added, “Iran is ready to share its experiences in this regard with Belarus as a friendly country”.

Referring to the valuable agreements between Iran and Belarus in various fields, especially in the fields of industry, mining, trade, agriculture and roads, the President expressed hope that the adherence and implementation of these agreements will strengthen the relations between the two countries and secure the interests of the two nations.

Raisi stated, “In addition to bilateral relations, the Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to improve its relations with Belarus within the framework of regional and extra-regional organizations, and in this regard, fruitful negotiations have been held between the two sides”.

Ayatollah Raisi added, “We can have very good cooperation with each other by using the capacity of Shanghai and Eurasian Union organisations and develop these cooperation based on common positions and interests”.

Referring to the fundamental measures taken by the 13th Administration to develop Tehran-Minsk relations, the President said, “In the past year and a half, fundamental steps have been taken to improve the level of cooperation between Iran and Belarus, and our commercial and economic conditions today cannot be compared to before”.

Raisi pointed out, “Both countries are against unilateralism and we believe that effective and constructive communication between independent countries is the way to neutralize the sanctions and, considering the good capacities of these countries, become the basis for the progress of nations”.

Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus, for his part, appreciated the invitation of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran to make an official visit after 17 years since his last visit to Tehran.

Comparing the situation of Iran between his two trips, he said, “I must admit that no sanctions and pressure could stop the Iranian nation from progressing, and it is a fact that today Iran continues its independent and strong path”.

The President of Belarus referred to the examination of solutions and areas for the development of bilateral relations between Minsk and Tehran, and said, “There was a pause in the development of the relations between the two countries, but fortunately we successfully passed this period and today, many documents have been signed in different fields for cooperation between the two countries”.

Lukashenko described and clarified the positions of Iran and Belarus on international and regional issues as similar, saying, “Iran and Belarus both want to build a just and multipolar world”.

The President of Belarus considered March 18 as a very important date in the relations between the two countries and added, “The 30th anniversary of the relations between Belarus and the Islamic Republic of Iran is a good excuse to improve the level of relations and cooperation between the two countries, especially in the parliamentary sphere, which I hope will be achieved within the framework of the comprehensive roadmap that was signed today”.

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