Aref: Iran Places No Limit on Expanding Ties with Belarus

Tehran - BORNA - Mohammad Reza Aref, in a meeting with Andrei Kozintsov, the Minister of Industry of the Republic of Belarus and Co-Chair of the Joint Cooperation Commission, noted that expanding cooperation in various fields is a strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, given the excellent political relations with Belarus. He added: "The successful holding of the 18th session of the Iran-Belarus Joint Cooperation Commission is a very good opportunity for the comprehensive development of relations."

The First Vice President also pointed out that the close views of Iran and Belarus in international forums and their participation in various regional organizations necessitate the continuation and expansion of deepening and strengthening mutual cooperation in all areas. He stated: "The level of trade and economic exchanges must be increased by strengthening the Iran-Belarus Joint Cooperation Commission."

He noted that the recent visit of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Belarus created a new horizon in the development of relations between the two countries. He referred to his bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Belarus on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, stating: "Exchanges of officials and actions such as holding the Joint Cooperation Commission session play an effective role in enhancing the level of cooperation between the two countries, especially in the economic sector."

Encouraging the Private Sector and Expanding Cooperation

The First Vice President stressed: "The private sectors of the two countries can play a significant role in increasing the volume of trade exchanges, and both sides should encourage private sector economic activists to increase commercial relations, taking into account the Free Trade Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)."

Aref listed the development of tourism relations as another area for upgrading cooperation. He added: "Academic, scientific, and technological cooperation, especially in emerging technologies, given the valuable achievements of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Belarus's capabilities, can provide grounds for bilateral and multilateral cooperation."

The First Vice President also referenced the holding of the 4th International Eurasia Trade Exhibition, adding: "Holding this exhibition can help introduce Iran's capabilities and expand economic interaction with Eurasian countries."

Belarus's Full Readiness for Development

Andrei Kozintsov, the Minister of Industry of the Republic of Belarus, also stressed in the meeting that Belarus is fully prepared to develop relations with Iran in various fields. He emphasized: "The 18th session of the Iran-Belarus Joint Cooperation Commission and the agreements reached during this session can help strengthen the economic relations between the two countries."

Referring to the joint industrial productions of the two countries, he said: "Belarus has set a goal to increase and upgrade cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran."

The Minister of Industry of the Republic of Belarus referred to Iran as a friendly and brotherly country, adding: "During this visit, we reached the desired results for strengthening mutual communication. In this regard, we must activate the private and non-governmental sectors more than ever. The excellent organization of the Joint Cooperation Commission also showed that we can expand the volume of trade between the countries."

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