Belarusian President to visit Tehran to boost bilateral development
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President Alexander Lukashenko visits Iran, meets President Ebrahim Raisi, and discusses bilateral development.
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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi shakes hands with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in an official welcoming ceremony at the Saadabad Palace in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 13, 2023 (Iranian Presidency).
The visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Tehran, according to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has further contributed to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries that have, over the past couple of years, experienced a breakthrough in relations.
Lukashenko landed in Iran on Sunday and began his two-day tour with a meeting with Reza Fatemi-Amin, the Iranian trade minister.
Raisi, according to SB News, stressed that "over the past two years, we have seen a breakthrough," adding that "undoubtedly, your visit will give a great and serious impetus to the development of our bilateral relations."
In turn, Lukashenko explained that "the current contacts between Belarus and Iran, especially over the recent two years, are really the merit of yours. To be honest, maybe even because of me, because of Belarus, we have somewhat weakened attention to the Iranian state."
Last month, Lukashenko said that geopolitical shifts were pushing Belarus and Iran to strengthen bilateral ties.
Although he pointed out that bilateral trade was in good standing, he noted that it could be "more voluminous."
In the fiscal year of 2022, the trade turnover between the two countries surpassed $100 million, nearly three times that of the fiscal year of 2021.
Belarusian exports to Iran increased six-times fold over the year and totaled over $81 million.
Exports to Iran from Belarus primarily include potassium fertilizers, timber, synthetic yarn, and imports from Iran include food products.
Read more: Iran oil exports hit highest level since reimposition of US sanctions
