Lukashenko and Aliyev discuss strategic issues of bilateral cooperation

<p> MINSK, Apr 13 - PrimePress. On April 13, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev informally discussed the main avenues of Belarusian-Azerbaijani relations and the strategic issues of bilateral cooperation. This was reported by the press service of the Belarusian president. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “The official part of the talks is scheduled for Wednesday (April 14 – editor’s note). The talks between the heads of states will be held in a narrow and extended format with the participation of members of the delegations. The main focus will be on the expansion of trade and economic cooperation and filling the cooperation with new content. The sides will discuss industrial cooperation, implementation of current and future projects in food production and supply, processing of agricultural products. They will also touch upon not less pressing issues: cooperation in healthcare, scientific and technical, educational and tourism spheres,” the statement said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Bilateral documents are expected to be signed following the talks. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Analyst of the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies Alexei Avdonin suggested in a commentary to Prime agency that the main theme of the meeting between Lukashenko and Aliyev will be deepening trade and economic cooperation between the countries. According to him, Lukashenko’s visit to Azerbaijan should not be regarded as some kind of emergency trip to address urgent issues. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “I think that the main goal of this visit is to strengthen the bilateral cooperation and to give a new impetus to the trade of goods and services,” said Avdonin. He suggested that the issue of providing health services of Belarus to citizens of Azerbaijan and the issue of tourism for citizens of Belarus in Azerbaijan may be raised. According to him, there is always mutual interest in creating production facilities and joint ventures in each other’s territory. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Touching upon the possibility for the presidents to discuss the topic of Minsk's assistance to Azerbaijan in entering the market of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), Avdonin said that this market in general is now very interesting not only for post-Soviet countries but also for countries of other regions, such as Asia-Pacific and Central Asia. “Economic integration and trade partnership will allow increasing the rate of economic growth of states in the post-pandemic period. Definitely, it is interesting for Azerbaijan as well,” he said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Touching upon the possible cooperation between Belarus and Azerbaijan in the oil sector, Avdonin said that the issue of alternative energy supplies was relevant in 2020 amid the controversy between Minsk and Moscow over the terms of oil supplies. “The oil and energy supply topic will always be on the agenda in Belarus,” he said, but expressed some doubt as to whether the presidents would discuss the issue of strengthening such cooperation in detail. </p> <p>   </p> <p> According to him, at this stage, the Belarusian side is interested in providing services of Belarusian scientific institutes in the field of exploration, extraction and processing technologies. For example, during the visit the theme of consulting services or development of joint scientific projects with Azerbaijani oil companies may be raised. “This topic will open up great potential for cooperation between the two countries: Azerbaijan has oil, and Belarus has good technologies that can be adapted to Azerbaijan. Companies of the two countries can make good money on this,” Avdonin believes. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The issue of allocation of funds for Belarus by Azerbaijan may be raised as well. “Of course, if Azerbaijan is ready to provide financing at a sufficiently low interest rate as compared to the world market, then of course the money for implementation of some joint projects will be relevant,”Avdonin said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> In his words, it is not about credit money for Belarus to pay off some of its domestic or foreign debts. “Now Belarus fully meets its commitments, there is enough resources. To a greater extent, we should say that if Azerbaijan provides a credit line, it will be for financing joint projects. Perhaps, in the manufacturing of scientific sector. That is, it will be something long-term, not momentary,” the expert said. End </p>

2021-04-14

Primepress