Belarus paper hails comprehensive ties with Azerbaijan

By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Today, relations between Belarus and Azerbaijan, without exaggeration, can be described as exemplary in the modern system of inter-state relations, SB Belarus Today newspaper writes.

Hailing the relations between the two countries, the article noted that bilateral cooperation is developing in all spheres of mutual interest.

The paper adds that at a meeting with representatives of the public and expert community, Belarus and foreign media in 2019, President Alexander Lukashenko stressed that relations between Belarus and Azerbaijan are an example of relations between the two Christian and Muslim states.

In addition, the Belarus leader has repeatedly said in his speeches that he values ??friendship, trust, support, and personal attention to the interests of his country by the Azerbaijani leadership.

Published on May 10 to commemorate the 99th birthday of national leader Heydar Aliyev, the article emphasized that the start of the relations between the two countries became possible thanks to him.

“The life of Heydar Aliyev is a vivid example of the invincibility of human will,” the article added.  

Noting the absence of problems between the two states throughout history, the paper pointed out that this is evidenced by the fact that problems were always resolved on telephone calls between the presidents of the two states.

The paper further adds that the Belarus president had good, friendly relations with Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev and his support during the times of sanctions pressure on the country was indicative.

The common history of Belarus and Azerbaijan, which has passed a long and thorny path, the state independence, the consonance of destinies, and long-term friendship between the people of the two countries have become the determining factors in enhancing contact in the field of culture and art, the paper added. Its legal basis is the agreement on cooperation in culture and art between the Azerbaijani and Belarus ministries of culture, dated March 6, 1996.

Over these years, bilateral cooperation in the field of culture has covered not only all segments of culture but also all age categories. The most active interaction was established between the theater groups of the two countries. The Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater and the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in 2011. Every year, dozens of stage masters, conductors, and leading ballet dancers of the two countries successfully tour the theater stages of Belarus and Azerbaijan.

The article stressed that the Azerbaijani-Belarusian relations are still built on a high level of trust between the two countries' presidents. A direct indicator is the trade turnover between the countries. 

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Belarus amounted to $320.3 million, with the export accounting for $229.8 million and imports for $90.4 million in the first nine months of 2021. In 2020, it was $447 million.