Lukashenka, Erdogan sign joint communique

Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a joint communique as a result of their talks in Minsk on Friday.

 

 

“The presidents noted the positive dynamics of the development of comprehensive cooperation between Belarus and Turkey and expressed a mutual interest in the maintenance of a regular political dialogue at all levels, including the highest one,” the communiqué said.

The sides noted the existence of new opportunities for the development of trade and economic relations in connection with Belarus’ membership in the Eurasian Economic Union and Turkey’s customs union with the European Union.

According to the communique, the Belarusian leader strongly condemned the coup attempt in Turkey in July 2016 and expressed support for the democratically elected government of Turkey, while Mr. Erdogan expressed satisfaction with Belarus’ “commitment to democratic principles.”

Messrs. Lukashenka and Erdogan emphasized the two countries’ adherence to the universally recognized standards of international law, the goals and principles of the United Nations, and the idea of enhancing the role of the UN system in maintaining peace and security, countering modern challenges and threats, and peacefully resolving international conflicts.

“Only an unhindered, equal and constructive dialogue can help resolve international differences,” the communique said.

The heads of state “condemned any kinds of terrorism and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in the prevention of international terrorism, transnational organized crime and illegal migration.”

Messrs. Lukashenka and Erdogan emphasized the need to expand and deepen bilateral ties for coordinating and developing cooperation in the international arena, including mutual support for candidacies within the framework of international organizations.

The heads of state expressed an interest in increasing and diversifying bilateral trade, jointly searching for new areas of economic cooperation, strengthening production cooperation, and jointly introducing products into the markets of third countries.

In addition, the sides signed a 2016-2017 action plan for the development of cooperation between the two countries, and interstate agreements on a system of assistance to trade, on cooperation in the field of science and technology, and on cooperation in the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Belarusian Ministry of Education and the Higher Education Council of Turkey.

Also signed was an agreement on cooperation in the field of agriculture, an agreement on cooperation in emergency management, and an agreement on cooperation between the Belarusian government’s news agency BelTA and the Turkish government’s Anadolu Agency.