Minsk: Iran and Belarus have agreed to finalize a treaty focusing on strategic cooperation, following discussions held in Minsk on Wednesday. This development comes as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian committed to strengthening relations with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to combat the effects of Western sanctions.
According to Anadolu Agency, President Pezeshkian emphasized the mutual support between Iran and Belarus on the international stage, highlighting the value and importance of their cooperation based on mutual trust and respect. He expressed Iran’s readiness to collaborate with Belarus to counteract what he described as illegal Western sanctions.
Pezeshkian pointed out that while the political trust between Tehran and Minsk is strong, their economic ties have yet to reach the same level. He expressed gratitude to President Lukashenko for his firm stance against attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities by the US and Israel, referencing the Belarusian leader’s comments at the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) summit, where he compared the strikes to the Chernobyl disaster.
The Iranian president reiterated that Tehran has never initiated war with any nation but emphasized the necessity to respond when attacked, labeling such raids as violations of international norms. He underscored the common positions and views shared by Iran and Belarus on global issues, citing their collaboration in international platforms like the EAEU, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as crucial for resisting unilateral actions by the United States and its allies.
President Lukashenko described the sanctions imposed by Western countries on Belarus and Iran as economic terrorism. He stressed the need for both countries to strive for a multipolar world where sovereign states can choose their own paths. Lukashenko highlighted the progress in bilateral trade, which has increased fivefold over the past five years, and proposed establishing joint production facilities and expanding cooperation in various sectors including banking, transportation, and technology.
Lukashenko also emphasized the importance of cultural and humanitarian exchanges, announcing plans for the Days of Belarusian Culture in Iran. He asserted that the cooperation between the two nations serves as a foundation for a strategic partnership contributing to global stability.
The leaders announced plans to prepare and sign a treaty on strategic cooperation soon, with Lukashenko stating that the talks in Minsk created favorable conditions for positive changes in bilateral interactions. Belarus reaffirmed its support for Iran’s right to develop peaceful nuclear energy under international supervision.
The discussions also addressed the increasing demand in Iran for Belarusian industrial products and the ongoing importation of Iranian goods by Belarus. Both leaders stressed the importance of expanding trade through the EAEU free trade agreement with Iran and using alternative logistics routes to reduce dependence on Western-controlled channels.