A. Lukashenko: Relations between Minsk and Ankara reach new level of cooperation in all spheres

This is our President’s summary of today’s large-scale talks with the Turkish leader. The official visit of Alexander Lukashenko to this republic takes place against the background of the active growth of the mutual economy. The turnover reached almost a billion dollars last year. 

The Heads of State laid such a solid foundation for cooperation during Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Minsk in 2016. That meeting opened a new page in the history of relations. 

The current negotiations and revision of all projects have allowed us to look to the future even more confidently. The states are able to reach the mark of one and a half billion turnover. The primary task is to level the balance of mutual trade. For now, Belarus buys more than it sells. The supply of Belarusian products of the automotive and chemical industries, woodworking and food will help increase our piggy bank. Moreover, investment, logistics and banking spheres open up a wide field for interaction. State and industry cooperation are being developed. A fresh example is the joint assembly of the MTZ engines. Of course, the key to successful cooperation is personal friendship between the Presidents of Belarus and Turkey.

While the airplane of the Belarusian leader was just preparing to take off in Minsk, brisk negotiations of business circles were already underway in Ankara. Businessmen of the two countries concluded multimillion-dollar contracts. The amount and number of projects is really impressive.

After the official welcoming ceremony with the guard of honor, the Head of State went to Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the national leader, founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey.

Half a kilometer before the presidential palace, our President was met and accompanied by 40 horsemen. It looked really impressive.

The official welcoming ceremony was held for Alexander Lukashenko at the presidential residence in Turkey - the White Palace.

For all these years, the leaders have developed truly warm and trusting relationships. In a recent interview with Anadolu, Turkey’s largest news agency, Alexander Lukashenko called the President of Turkey his friend! Judging by the scale of reception given to Alexander Lukashenko, his Turkish counterpart has the same opinion. 

Experts refer Turkey to the category of new industrial countries. It is the 17th economy of the world! The ambitions of modern Turkey are much greater: it aims to enter the top ten most developed countries of the world. Like Belarus, the country takes an IT course, is set to a technological revolution. 

First of all, Belarusian manufacturers can occupy their niches in the market of agricultural, road and municipal equipment here. At the same time, the optimal strategy is the creation of our assembly plants in Turkey. 

Countries also rely on mutual investments. Turkish partners have implemented successful projects in Belarus in the field of construction and hotel business. Exporters are also attracted by the transit potential of our country. Even before the start of bilateral negotiations, tremendous work had been done on the part of the governments of the two countries, a joint meeting had been held, and business had contributed a lot. The quality of all this work is indicated by the signed package of documents. The countries will cooperate even more closely in education, military industry, science and jurisprudence.

After hours of dialogue, Alexander Lukashenko and Recep Tayyip Erdogan went to the press. They were obviously satisfied with the results, they managed to find mutual understanding even on the most sensitive issues.

Opening enterprises in Turkey will allow our country to gain access to the markets of 21 states, with which the Turkish side has agreements on a free trade zone.