President Masoud Pezeshkian underscored the need for deeper and more sustainable relations between Iran and Belarus, stating that he will personally oversee the implementation of agreements between the two countries.
During a meeting between high-ranking Iranian and Belarusian delegations in Minsk on Wednesday, President Pezeshkian and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko expressed a strong commitment to enhancing bilateral relations.
The Iranian president said that the current volume of trade between the two nations is minimal compared to existing capacities and must be significantly increased.
Congratulating Belarus on its recent membership in the BRICS group, President Pezeshkian stated that strengthening emerging economic structures like the Eurasian Economic Union, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization would create new opportunities for economic and political cooperation among member states.
The Iranian president highlighted the longstanding cooperation between Iranian and Belarusian representatives in international organizations, expressing Tehran's willingness to strengthen these collaborations. He mentioned the Islamic Republic's strategic partnership with Russia as a model that could be similarly pursued with Belarus.
Pezeshkian also pointed out the shared perspectives of Iran and Belarus in opposing illegal sanctions and supporting multilateralism and national sovereignty, expressing Tehran's readiness to share its valuable experiences in countering sanctions with its friends and partners.
In his remarks, the Iranian president praised President Lukashenko's clear stance against the aggression of the Israeli regime and the United States against Iran, particularly highlighting the Belarusian president’s speech at the Eurasian Economic Union summit. Pezeshkian underscored that the attacks on Iran represent a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter, occurring amid indirect negotiations with the US regarding the Iranian nuclear program. He affirmed that Iran has never initiated war but will respond decisively to any aggression.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi referred to the historical ties between Tehran and Minsk, reporting a 14% increase in bilateral trade over the past year and the potential for further growth. He emphasized that lifting visa requirements could play a crucial role in enhancing bilateral cooperation and proposed the development of a joint strategic document to elevate relations to a new and sustainable level.
Moreover, Iran's Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Mohammad-Reza Salehi Amiri, highlighted the interest of Iranian travelers in Belarus, noting that approximately 9 million Iranians travel abroad annually. He expressed a desire for more Iranians to visit Belarus and emphasized that direct flights and visa waivers could eliminate barriers to tourism cooperation.