Kochanova: Belarus, Azerbaijan ready to co-operate in all directions
Fruitful development of co-operation is based on the long-term friendship between the peoples of Minsk and Baku, and the meeting of the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly, Natalya Kochanova, with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Belarus, Ulvi Bakhshaliyev, was the best confirmation of this truth
A whole range of issues was discussed during the meeting, including the parties’ support of each other in the international arena and co-operation in the field of culture. Although the conversation was timed to coincide with the completion of the diplomat’s mission in the republic, Natalya Kochanova and Ulvi Bakhshaliyev confirmed that it would not be the last meeting, because the friendship between Belarus and Azerbaijan has grown stronger over the years.
“For us, Azerbaijan is not just a friendly country: it is a country that supports us,” Ms. Kochanova said in the beginning of the meeting. “Of course, we also support the Azerbaijani people. Our leaders set the tone for relations between the states, and – as we could see – not just the presidents of two countries, but good friends met at the recent summit in the United Arab Emirates. We need to do everything to ensure that the relations that bind our peoples and the tasks that we face are solved effectively, for the benefit of our peoples.”
"The high level of trust that exists between our presidents gives impetus to our work and sets us up for further strengthening of co-operation," Mr. Bakhshaliyev replied.
According to Ms. Kochanova, the same good relations are developing between the parliamentarians of both countries, and an invitation has been recently sent to the Head of the Azerbaijani Parliament with a proposal to pay an official visit to Belarus.
"We will be very glad to host the parliamentary delegation from Azerbaijan," the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic stressed. “We are ready to co-operate in all areas. For Belarus, Azerbaijan is a strategic partner that supports it in the international arena, and such support is worth a lot – especially in our modern difficult times. It is very important to have a loyal and reliable friend at a time when conflicts are raging in the world.”
Ms. Kochanova expressed confidence that co-operation between the countries will expand owing to new projects in the field of import substitution, creation of joint ventures and enterprises.
By the way, the Azerbaijani trading house in Minsk was opened personally by the President of Azerbaijan, and Belarusians have now the opportunity to buy goods from this country directly. In turn, the agricultural engineering industry has been created in Azerbaijan thanks to Belarusians. However, the potential for co-operation between the two states is much broader.
Ms. Kochanova thanked the Azerbaijani side for supporting the Memory Train youth project, and young people from Baku will take part in it next year. As noted by the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic, this is our common history, and we have no right to forget it.
