Working visit to Azerbaijan. Negotiations with Ilham Aliyev

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev held a meeting in the Zagulba Palace on 14 April.

Negotiations of the heads of state were preceded by a photo-op ceremony. After the ceremonial events, the presidents proceeded to the conference hall. By the way, the Belarusian President is the first foreign leader to be received in Azerbaijan this year.

At first the negotiations were held one-on-one, with participation of the foreign ministers. The meeting was taking place against the background of the pandemic and all kinds of other events. “However, true friends do not postpone the things that should be done on time. No pandemic can prevent this,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian President noted that the two countries diversified their relations in politics and economy and ‘they are not burdened by anything’. “We do not stand on anyone’s way and no one is trying to interfere with our affairs. Indeed, if you are determined to do something, it is difficult to prevent it,” the head of state said.

In 2020 the trade between Belarus and Azerbaijan approached half a billion dollars. Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that the two countries made good progress in this respect.

“With regard to our political relations, it is difficult to say what is missing. We have a brilliant relationship. I have always been proud of that. We have restored the warmest relations since the Soviet Union in all areas,” the President emphasized.

According to the head of state, during the talks on 13-14 April, the parties held a thorough review of relations. They confirmed the strategic nature of the relations between Belarus and Azerbaijan and co-opted the absence of problems or differences of opinion on the international agenda.

“Our assessments of the situation in the world fully coincide. There is clarity concerning further joint actions under the conditions of the global economic crisis, the pandemic and, most importantly, the ambiguous forecasts for the future,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko. In his words, the two countries have made significant progress in their relations lately.

During the negotiations the parties also paid much attention to the trade and economic cooperation and the transition to a new stage of interaction. The matter pertains to technology transfer and the opening of new joint ventures in Azerbaijan in order to set up necessary production facilities and create new jobs. “We are ready to lend our shoulder and do it responsibly,” the President said.

Belarus sees great potential for cooperation ties in industry, agriculture, woodworking, information technologies, healthcare, tourism, and education. Good prospects are also seen for deepening cooperation in science and technology and the military-industrial sector.

The parties also analyzed the pandemic situation in the world. Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus launched mass vaccination of the population. Medications produced in the country following the Russian technologies will be used for this purpose. However, Belarus will not be able to consume the entire amount of vaccines produced. The country is ready to export vaccines, including to Azerbaijan. “This was perceived both positively and with a certain hope,” the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko invited Ilham Aliyev to Belarus, adding that some points of the program of his visit had already been planned. “We have always been and will remain reliable friends of your country,” the Belarusian leader said.