Yesterday, in Minsk President Armen Sarkissian met with the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Luckashenko.
Alexander Lukashenko saluted President Sarkissian’s visit to Minsk and noted that he was glad to welcome his Armenian colleague to Minsk in the framework of the Core Group meeting of the Munich Security Conference.
“That’s good you have come to Belarus. Tomorrow, we have an important meeting on security issues which will take place in the framework of the Munich Group. Your visit to Minsk and participation in the meeting on that topic tells that Armenia is not simply concerned with the problem but it is also very important for the Armenian people.
You should know that regardless of different comments, Belarus has always been and will be the democratic Armenia’s good and trusted friend. We work together in the same economic platform – EAEU, work in the military and political union – CSTO and fulfill our obligations and everything else within the framework of these organizations persistently.
As for the base of our relations, the turnover, it should be noted that it is growing. Last year we registered a rapid growth, close to 45-50 million USD. That’s a good result, however if we speak of potential regarding the goods which are in great demand here and the goods which are in great demand in Armenia, these numbers are not big enough. We can have a turnover close to 150 million USD which would elevate our relations to a higher level.
You know our capacities, we know yours. Thus, any proposal made by Armenia we will consider in a short period of time and will adopt a corresponding decision. I know that you’re going through complicated democratic changes, one cannot escape that, and of course, to receive firsthand information, from my friend and colleague is very important for me,” the President of Belarus said.
Noting that it is important for Belarus to follow the events in the friendly Armenia, Alexander Lukashenko said, “In your person, we see the man who is unbiased, realistic and is ready to promote relations with Belarus, and we reciprocate on all that.”
President Armen Sarkissian thanked for the welcome and noted.
“I too, would like to start with the dramatic days of April-May and use the opportunity, here, in the wonderful city of Minsk to personally thank you for the support and friendship which you manifested in those days. As president and as a person, I will never forget the attention which I received from you. Your calls were not just diplomatic or political calls, those were the calls from a friend who was not only interested but for whom it was painful and pleasing at the same time, a person, a friend who wanted to know and to help. In those days, it was the greatest support for me, at the times when in our country we were going through tremendous changes.
On the surface, everything seemed to be all right, no drama, thanks God, no human losses but it wasn’t easy anyway. And I greatly value your support and wish you to know about it, so I want to thank you personally.
Yes, I have arrived here to participate at the Munich Security Conference. It’s very nice to be in Minsk which is a special city. I think, Belarus is an example of stability and predictability. In the new world we are living in, such traits are rare. Not only regions but the world has become unpredictable, has become unstable and the countries, which have these two traits are praised highly by me, by me friends in Belarus, and by the international community in general.
It is no accident that one of the regular meetings of the Munich Conference, which is one of the most prestigious global forums, is held here, in Minsk.”
