Ambassador: even greater increase in Belarus-Iran trade turnover likely in 2024

The trends of recent global events indicate that the international system is shifting from unipolarity to multipolarity, from unilateralism to multilateralism, and a quantitative and qualitative increase in the level of co-operation, positive and constructive interaction between countries such as the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Belarus at this transitional stage are the inevitable necessity in reviewing the states’ role and position in the new international system – as noted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran to Belarus, Alireza Sanei, at a reception on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

“The leaders of Belarus and Iran understand this need and demand the greatest possible development of bilateral relations in all fields – political, economic, cultural, parliamentary, scientific, technological, military, and others,” the diplomat noted.

On this basis, positive and constructive interaction and co-operation between the states has become more intense, and Mr. Sanei confirmed, “In 2023, the parties witnessed significant progress: their trade volume increased by about 40 percent. In line with the outlined plans, an even greater growth is expected in 2024.”

The diplomat recalled that important events of last year included also the visit of Belarus’ President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Iran in March 2023, the visit of Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber to Belarus, the holding of the 16th meeting of the joint commission on economic co-operation, the sixth round of inter-ministerial consultations on political issues, the 10th meeting of the joint military-industrial commission of Iran and Belarus, an exhibition of Iranian goods in Belarus, and mutual visits of other high-ranking officials of the two countries.

“In addition, Belarus and Iran held consultations and co-operated on a mutually beneficial basis in regional and international organisations, also supporting each other's positions against the unilateral interventionist behaviour of some ambitious countries, which contradicts the generally accepted principles of international law," the diplomat said.