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Presidents of Belarus, Azerbaijan sign joint declaration

Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Ilham Aliyev signed a joint declaration following their talks in Baku on November 21.

In the declaration, the presidents confirmed their intention to further expand and strengthen the traditionally friendly relations between Belarus and Azerbaijan, which are based on mutual trust and respect, reported the Belarusian government's news agency BelTA.

The presidents expressed willingness to step up Belarusian-Azerbaijani political dialogue at various levels and strengthen bilateral relations in the economic, trade, military, military-technical, scientific, educational and cultural spheres, as well as in the fields of public health, environmental protection and tourism.

Messrs. Lukashenka and Aliyev said that the two countries had similar views on many international issues and emphasized the need to increase bilateral cooperation in the international arena, including within the framework of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Eastern Partnership.

They also noted the importance of putting an end to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the principles and norms of international law.

According to BelTA, Messrs. Lukashenka and Aliyev expressed satisfaction with Azerbaijan's performance as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2012 and 2013, and suggested increasing the role of the United Nations in resolving strategic issues such as international security and sustainable development.

They also emphasized the importance of carrying out Belarusian-Azerbaijani economic projects, and noted the need to continue expanding production cooperation between the two countries, increase the role of innovation in economic development and encourage the creation of favorable economic, financial and legal conditions for business activities.

Messrs. Lukashenka and Aliyev said that the two countries were willing to expand scientific and technical cooperation, strengthen ties in the fields of culture, education and information and communications, and assist in the establishment of contacts between scientific, art and other associations and foundations in Belarus and Azerbaijan. //BelaPAN