Lukashenka and Aliyev divide in opinions

The Azerbaijani understanding of investments has nothing in common with the Belarusian idea of privatisation.

Lukashenka's visit to Azerbaijan is over. The visit wasn't futile, according to news reports. Ilkham Aliyev promised to help with money, but a considerable misunderstanding arose between the parties, AFN reports.

“Investment possibilities, the participation of Azerbaijani companies in privatisation in Belarus and a joint advancement to third-country markets with jointly manufactured products were named among new topics of the bilateral relations,” Alkham Aliyev said after the talks.

“A special aspect of the visit is that we've found new directions of cooperation. We have received support of the president of Azerbaijan in terms of more active investing in the projects interesting for Azerbaijan and businessmen in Belarus. We are ready and waiting for your proposals,” Lukashenka said.

The only difference in their remarks is that Lukashenka didn't mention privatisation. Investments and privatisation are almost the same for Aliyev, while investments for Lukashenka mean “give us money and get out, don't interfere with our work”.

This considerable divergence of views can complicate and delay the inflow of Azerbaijan's aid to the country's gold and foreign currency reserves. When it is found out that the Azerbaijani understanding of investments has nothing in common with the Belarusian idea of privatisation, it will become clear that the Belarusian petrochemical industry, agriculture and pharmaceutical industry, where Lukashenka would like to see the Azerbaijani capital, are not interesting for investors.