WANA (Dec 15) – Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, on the first official bilateral visit to Minsk at the invitation of his Belarusian counterpart, described his meetings with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko as “constructive and useful,” emphasizing the strong and growing ties between the two nations.
Speaking to reporters on Monday evening, Araghchi said he conveyed an invitation from Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani for his Belarusian counterpart to visit Tehran. “Relations between our two countries are on a very good path,” he stated.
Economic and Political Cooperation
Araghchi highlighted the close political alignment between Iran and Belarus on international issues and the consistent consultations they have maintained over the years. He said both sides conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation, including political, economic, cultural, and security domains.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and his Belarusian counterpart Maksim Ryzhenkov. Social media/ WANA News Agency
“The trade volume between our countries does not reflect the full potential of our relationship,” Araghchi noted. He stressed that mechanisms are being explored to remove obstacles and facilitate increased trade.
Planned High-Level Visits
The Foreign Minister announced plans for multiple joint committees and commissions, with consultations scheduled at the deputy minister level.
These discussions are expected to pave the way for a visit by the Belarusian Foreign Minister, followed ultimately by a presidential visit to Tehran. A roadmap for bilateral relations over the coming year has been drafted, including reciprocal visits by economic officials and ministers.
Shared Political Positions and Multilateral Cooperation
Araghchi emphasized that Iran and Belarus share closely aligned positions in international organizations, particularly in opposing unilateralism and coercive policies. He noted the formation of a “Friends of the Charter” group at the United Nations, with Belarus and other countries opposing U.S. unilateralism and sanctions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Meets Belarusian President in Minsk. Social media/ WANA News Agency
The Foreign Minister also stressed plans to expand cooperation through BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Eurasian Economic Union. Cultural cooperation has also been identified as a key area for expansion, with joint events and media engagement already underway.
Consular and Educational Initiatives
A joint consular committee will be established to facilitate visas, promote tourism, and resolve outstanding consular issues. Academic exchanges are also planned, with an emphasis on joint projects, faculty, and student exchanges. Araghchi noted that Belarusian universities are highly rated and host over 10,000 Chinese students, highlighting opportunities for Iranian students.
Constructive Visit
Reflecting on the visit, Araghchi described it as highly productive, noting frank and direct discussions on joint projects with both the Belarusian president and foreign minister. He also met with the Belarusian Secretary of the Security Council to discuss regional security matters.
In closing, Araghchi stated, “Overall, relations between our two countries are on a very good path, and the decisions made during this visit will further strengthen them.”