Aleksandr Lukashenko meets with Foreign Minister of Iran

Belarus opposes all kinds of dictate and interference in domestic affairs of other countries, President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi on 6 March.

"We are closely watching the situation around Iran. We do care. We are very sorry about the things going on around Iran, because we also become targets of such attacks, although these attacks are not so tough,” the head of state said.

“We are vocal opponents of any dictate and pressure on countries by other countries. We believe that no one should tell a sovereign and independent country what it should do and how. I am sure Iran holds a similar view,” the President said.

“Any government of any country should work to improve life and enhance stability in a country. And I know that your President and the parliament and the spiritual leader are working towards these goals and we support this policy,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko received an invitation to visit Iran. On behalf of the Iranian President the invitation was conveyed by Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi.

When speaking about the Belarusian-Iranian relations, Aleksandr Lukashenko said that the roadmap and the program of bilateral activities have been defined. “Belarus has no plans to deviate from the action program that has been determined. If it is the will of your leadership, we will more actively implement the plans we have determined at meetings with leaders of Iran,” the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said the present visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister was most of all an opportunity to evaluate the bilateral relations at this difficult stage and to revise the ongoing programs to some extent. “I hope that you with your Belarusian colleague will do it and I will be thankful if this work leads to broader cooperation between our countries,” the President said.

Ali Akbar Salehi, in turn, said that it was a great honor for him to meet with Aleksandr Lukashenko. “You are very famous in Iran, and I have always wanted to get a chance to meet with such a remarkable man,” the Minister said. “You are positively perceived by our people because you have always sought to be independent. We know that the desire for independence has a price and it should be paid. You and your people have displayed great fortitude over the last 20 years. This is why Belarus enjoys such a high status on the international political arena,” the Iranian official said.

“Yes, you may have encountered certain problems and experienced pressure, but in the end you will emerge winners because we believe justice will prevail,” the guest added.

Ali Akbar Salehi conveyed the best wishes from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The minister also stressed that Iran is currently looking into new areas of bilateral cooperation with Belarus.