Belarus` Lukashenko praises econ ties with Armenia :: Charter'97 :: News

Alexander Lukashenko expressed satisfaction with the development of economic relations with Armenia, noting the steadily increasing trade turnover. "The two countries succeeded in finding ways to engage in mutual trade in the present-day difficult conditions," Lukashenko noted at a meeting with visiting Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan on Tuesday.

"Thank you for visiting us on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War," the president said during the talks.

He noted that many Armenians fought against the enemy in Belarus during the war, including top military commanders.

"We know and appreciate it," Lukashenko said, "you can always find support with Belarussians. We remember the good turn."

He called Armenia the country with which it is possible to build very good relations.

"Armenia, perhaps as no other nation in the former Soviet Union, remains loyal to the friendship which we once developed," the head of state said.

Margaryan gave a positive valuation to the dynamics of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. At the same time, he noted untapped reserves.

"A meeting of the intergovernmental economic cooperation commission will take place in Yerevan this year, to map out ways of stepping up bilateral interaction," the prime minister said.

Margaryan`s program envisions talks with Belarussian Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky, and visits to the Belarussian and Minsk automobile plants.

The two sides plan to sign several documents, including an inter-governmental protocol abolishing exclusions from the free trade regime, as well as agreements on cooperation between the health ministries and between major television channels.

The two countries will also sign a contract for the supply of Belarussian mining equipment to Armenia.

Relations between Belarus and Armenia have been steadily growing in recent years. Their leaders meet on a regular basis. The two countries have signed more than 40 agreements, and their foreign and other ministries have established closer relationships.

Last year, bilateral trade turnover increased 12.4 percent to 10.8 million U.S. dollars.