Iran, Belarus FMs call for expansion of bilateral ties

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Maki discussed bilateral relations and economic cooperation between the two countries.

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Maki discussed bilateral relations and economic cooperation between the two countries.
During the meeting, the Belarusian foreign minister stressed Minsk's determination to implement the two countries' agreements, including those signed during last week's meeting of the Iranian and Belarus presidents on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Dushanbe. Maki referred to the cruel sanctions that have targeted both Iran and Belarus, saying only through joint cooperation can this problem be overcome. The Belarus foreign minister stressed that his country is ready to cooperate in all areas and establish a balanced economic relationship with Iran. Referring to several meetings at the expert level between the two countries, he said reaching agreements at the operational level calls for political will.
Furthermore, Iran’s foreign minister described the meeting of the two presidents as good and said the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to create a new path to improve bilateral relations.
Amirabdullahian voiced regret over the reduction in bilateral trade despite the agreements between the two countries. He said Iran is ready to seriously work with Belarus in areas such as industrial and heavy machinery, agricultural machinery, electric buses, auto parts and agricultural products.
The Iranian foreign minister also spoke of the two sides’ failure to hold a joint political commission and joint economic commission during the last four years. He called for these commissions to be held. Amirabdollahian said Iran is waiting for the other side to appoint a commission chairman and is ready for the Political Commission to be held in October. Iran’s top diplomat also noted that Iran and Belarus can use the capacities of the Eurasian Economic Union to expand their bilateral ties.