Meeting with Chairman of Georgian Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze

The Belarusian-Georgian trade turnover can reach $200 million, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze on 20 November.

“It is feasible to reach the target of $200 million in the Belarusian-Georgian trade, this figure is tangible,” the head of state said. “We will have about a half of this amount this year.”

The delegation of the Belarusian government has recently visited Georgia and attended the session of the joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation. According to the President, further steps to advance Belarus-Georgia interaction have been determined.

“As for politics, I am very grateful to you. In spite of a certain difference in focus points, we maintain absolutely fraternal relations with each other,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “I know what it costs for Georgia but you have always supported Belarus in an honest and sincere way since the time of Mikheil Saakashvili. And when everyone was set against Belarus he was openly speaking about our country in a warm and positive manner, about our people and even the Belarusian President although it was not popular back then.”

According to the President, the current government of Georgia is building its relations with Belarus in a comprehensive way and does not conceal it from anyone. “Time has changed. But this dimension of times and improvement of our relations with the West, with America is the merit of Georgia to a large extent. We are very grateful to you for this,” the head of state said.

He stressed that there are no contradictions and misunderstanding regarding political processes between the two countries, the evaluation of the international agenda is the same. “Moreover, we are always ready to meet each other halfway,” the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also thanked the Belarusian side for the delivery of pharmaceutical products to Belarus. Belarus, in turn, helped Georgia extinguish a forest fire.

“Of course, these are just episodes, but they show that our countries are building trustworthy atmosphere around bilateral relations,” Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced.

He also spoke in positive terms about the visit of the Georgian parliamentary delegation to Belarus because the enhancement of parliamentary contacts creates a good foundation for the trade and economic relations. The head of state encouraged MPs to learn more about the development of the agrarian sector in Belarus in view of the expected progress in this field and the Belarusian machine-building and car-making potential. Tractors adapted to Georgian conditions are already produced in Belarus. Apart from that, Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned the production of cars jointly with the Chinese company Geely.

The President invited the Georgian delegation to study Belarusian wood processing practices and the achievements of the potash industry.

“We do not hide anything. If you want to visit defense industry enterprises, we will show our military equipment,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added. “I hope that Belarus will make an impression on you. It is very important for you and for us.”