Belarus-Azerbaijan relations are dynamic and intensive: Azerbaijani president - UPDATE

Nov. 13
14:12

Belarus and Azerbaijan might increase their bilateral trade to $1 billion in the future, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in presence of delegations on Nov. 12, Belta reported.

The President of Azerbaijan agreed that the current level of trade lags behind the potential of the two countries. He thinks it possible to reach $500 million in bilateral trade, but the two countries may still go further than that.

According to Ilham Aliyev, Belarus and Azerbaijan are capable of achieving a $1 billion goal.

Ilham Aliyev expressed satisfaction with the development of the bilateral relations, fulfillment of agreements, and implementation of joint projects. The sides agreed to explore new cooperation avenues in agriculture, machine-building, and establishment of joint ventures. Belarus and Azerbaijan have a good potential for cooperation in the investment area. The two countries are not economic competitors, their economies are complementary. All this, the Azerbaijani President believes, is a good platform for boosting the bilateral trade.

Ilham Aliyev hailed Belarus-Azerbaijan relations as rather dynamic and intensive. The growth in bilateral trade is a testimony to that.

“It was achieved through the years of hard work, and good implementation of concrete projects. It shows that everything can be done if the countries show a political will. And they do,” the President underlined.

The Azerbaijani head of state drew the attention to the active collaboration between the countries within the framework of international organizations and intensive cooperation at all levels.

He expressed hope that this cooperation will go on the same way. “We cannot afford a breakdown of cooperation and a waste of potential,” Ilham Aliyev said.

He added that successful cooperation is to a large extent attributed to friendly relations between the states.

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09:45

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko hosted an official dinner in honor of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on Nov. 12.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited Agat Scientific Production Union in the Belarusian capital on Nov. 12.

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Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev was named an honorary professor of the Belarus State University.

A title giving ceremony, held at the university, was opened by rector Sergey Ablameyko.
Ablameyko said the Scientific Council of the Belarus State University decided to name the President of Azerbaijan an honorary professor of the university.

Afterwards the Azerbaijani President's biography was read out.

President Ilham Aliyev was presented with the diploma and mantle of the honorary professor.

The President gave a lecture before the university`s professors, teachers and students.
President Ilham Aliyev thanked the leadership of the Belarus State University for high recognition of his activities.

The President highlighted the Azerbaijan-Belarus relations. The President in particular praised the bilateral economic cooperation. He said the two countries had realized a number of joint projects, which, he added, “have been bringing our countries closer to each other”.

President Ilham Aliyev said it was his second official visit to Belarus during which, the Azerbaijani leader added, “we analyzed everything we had done to develop our bilateral relations, and, first and foremost, outlined ways of expanding and deepening the cooperation”.

The President also responded to questions from the students.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited a Victory Monument at the Victory Square in the Belarusian capital on Nov. 12.

A guard of honor was lined up for the Azerbaijani President here.

President Ilham Aliyev laid a wreath at the monument.

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Azerbaijan and Belarus signed several bilateral documents on Nov. 12.

Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Alexander Lukashenko signed a Joint Statement.

First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Yagub Eyyubov and Belarus Education Minister Alexander Radkov signed “Agreement on cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Government of the Republic of Belarus in the field of youth policy”.

Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Belarus Education Minister Alexander Radkov signed “Protocol on realization of an agreement on cooperation between Azerbaijan`s Education Ministry and Belarusian Education Ministry for 2010-2011”.

Foreign Ministers Elmar Mammadyarov of Azerbaijan and Sergei Martynov of Belarus signed “Agreement on cooperation between Azerbaijan State Border Service and State Border Committee of Belarus”.

The two foreign ministers signed “Agreement on cooperation between the National Archive Department of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Ministry of Justice of Belarus in the field of archives”.

Azerbaijan`s FM Elmar Mammadyarov and Chairman of the State Security Committee of Belarus Vadim Zaitsev signed “Agreement on cooperation between Azerbaijan Ministry of National Security and State Security Committee of Belarus on ensuring the protection of confidential information”.

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Nov. 12
14:55

A guard of honor was lined up at the square decorated with the national flags of Azerbaijan and Belarus.

President Ilham Aliyev was welcomed by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.

The two leaders inspected the guard of honor as a military orchestra played the national anthems of both countries.

Belarus officials were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev, while members of the Azerbaijani delegation to President Alexander Lukashenko.

The presidents then posed for photographs.

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09:21

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived on an official visit to Belarus on Nov. 11.

A guard of honor was lined up in honor of the Azerbaijani President at the Minsk national airport.

President Ilham Aliyev was welcomed by Prime Minister of Belarus Sergey Sidorski and other officials.

/AzerTaj/