Lukashenko commented on readiness to implement joint plans with Equatorial Guinea: we will start digging tomorrow
Belarus has enough technology to raise Equatorial Guinea a couple of steps higher – as stated by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, following his today’s talks with the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, BelTA reports
Summing up the negotiations, the Belarusian leader expressed several theses, which he discussed with the leadership of Equatorial Guinea. "The country should not spend its currency on purchases of the products and goods that can be produced in Equatorial Guinea. It is an axiom," he said.
"Secondly, when meeting with some of the representatives of the states, including my friend from Equatorial Guinea, I always talk about technology. Some people start criticising me, “What kind of technology are you talking about? The country is actually not big.” I should say: true, we are not a giant country, but we have enough of technologies in agriculture, industry and other spheres so that Equatorial Guinea will rise a step or even two steps higher if it uses them,” the President noted. “We are ready not just to come and grab some kind of jackpot here, as the colonialists did in the past, but as a result of our co-operation to teach people in Equatorial Guinea how to use these technologies. We will pass on what we can to the people of Equatorial Guinea. They will pass on to us what the people of this country can do, including goods. That's the point of this collaboration."
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that Equatorial Guinea does not currently need any high technologies. For example, this country does not need to launch spacecraft into space. The implementation of more practical, but extremely necessary projects is in focus.
"I want to emphasise once again (the President knows this) that I want both the people of Equatorial Guinea and the peoples of Africa to know: we are not coming here to snatch something from the moment. We want to co-operate with you on a mutually beneficial basis. We want not to engage in charity work, as it will simply harm our peoples. We will co-operate for the sake of our peoples," the President of Belarus said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also expressed surprise at what he saw on the island, where the capital of the country, the city of Malabo, is located. "As my staff has already told me, it is even more wonderful in the territory where we will go tomorrow. Not so much is needed for it to be a truly heavenly place – though you already live in paradise. You have set an ambitious task for yourself. I promise you, as my friend, that we can solve this problem. We solved all the problems – that need to be solved in Equatorial Guinea at present – 30 years ago in Belarus. We are all familiar with this. Therefore, we are at your service," the Belarusian leader stressed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that the documents signed by the parties are of a general nature, but 74 specific projects have already been agreed upon in the development of these documents. "This is a feat performed by members of the governments of Equatorial Guinea and Belarus, our specialists. There are 74 specific projects that we need to implement in the next 2-3 years. Tomorrow we will start digging in Guinea and solving problems," the President concluded.
