Focus on greater results

The Belarusian Head of State, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to the Republic of Belarus Mustafa Ozcan

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“Recently, we have done a lot in terms of deepening relations between Belarus and Türkiye. However, there are still a number of unresolved issues in terms of our agreement with [Turkish President] Recep Tayyip Erdogan. I think these issues are solvable. We have similar positions on many issues of international relations, including the crisis situation in Ukraine. We have spoken about it many times. Both Türkiye and Belarus take the position of diplomatic resolution of this conflict,” the Head of the Belarusian State said, welcoming the diplomat.
As for trade and economic relations, Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that the states once agreed to reach $1.5 billion in trade. 
“I think we have more than $1 billion in mutual trade for the second year already. We need to reach this level. Moreover, we have such opportunities,” the Belarusian leader said.
The Head of the Belarusian State also praised the Turkish President in shaping an independent policy of the country, “We are eagerly following your sovereign independent politics. You solve issues the way the Turkish people need. In this matter your President has surpassed, one could say, all expectations of the Turkish people.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko continued, “We stand ready to do everything to contribute to the development of your country. We are not philanthropists. We are looking to benefit from this too. We need to remove the unresolved issues that we still have. We very much hope that Türkiye will lend us a helping hand in this difficult situation. I would like to discuss a number of issues that we will have to solve together with you in the near future.”
In turn, Mustafa Ozcan thanked the Head of State for the opportunity to meet to discuss issues on both the bilateral and international agendas. He also conveyed warm greetings from the President of Türkiye and words of sincere gratitude to the Belarusian side for the assistance rendered after the earthquake in Türkiye in February 2023.
“We were amazed by the solidarity of the Belarusian people, and we will never forget the help provided by the Belarusian people,” the head of the diplomatic mission emphasised.

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Later, the Turkish Ambassador spoke to reporters. Mustafa Ozcan commented on the agreements to achieve trade turnover between the countries at one and a half billion dollars, “We will undoubtedly be able to reach it. But we must understand that there are external factors that, unfortunately, are not helping us work in this direction quickly enough. Nevertheless, we are ready to work together to find mutually acceptable solutions. Türkiye is very closely connected with the Western world and Western institutions, and this has to be taken into account when developing relations with other countries. Belarus is a very good partner and friendly country for Türkiye. 
The ambassador said that in the near future, with the assistance of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the joint Turkish–Belarusian research centre will open in Minsk. Mustafa Ozcan expressed gratitude to his Belarusian colleagues for their help and noted that this centre will contribute to the development of relations between our countries in the field of culture and science.
The Heads of the two States regularly hold telephone conversations and meetings at international venues. In 2019, the Presidents of Belarus and Türkiye agreed to gradually increase the volume of bilateral trade turnover to $1.5 billion. In 2022, mutual trade in goods reached $1.04 billion, and services — almost $107 million. In January–July 2023, trade turnover amounted to $674.9 million (129.1 percent compared to the same period in 2022).
Since 2009, the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry annually sends two MI-8 helicopters to Türkiye to assist in the fight against forest fires. In 2021 and 2022, our side additionally provided helicopter equipment with a Belarusian crew (MI-26T) to monitor fire situations and eliminate fires that engulfed the southern Turkish coast.
To assist in search and rescue operations in the south-eastern regions of Türkiye affected by the devastating earthquakes that occurred on February 6th, 2023, on behalf of the President of Belarus, a special response team Zubr of the Emergencies Ministry was sent, and humanitarian aid was also provided.

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by