In comments at a joint press conference with his Belarusian counterpart Maxim Ryzhenkov, held in Minsk on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said relations between the two countries are moving on a very positive path.
Since the beginning of Belarus’s independence, ties have been warm, friendly, and based on mutual interests and mutual respect, Araqchi said, adding that the two sides will continue along this course.
He said the two countries share common positions on international and global issues, cooperate with each other in many international forums, and hold similar views on regional matters.
Araqchi also expressed appreciation for Belarus’s condemnation of the Israeli and US aggression against Iran, as well as for the Belarusian people’s declaration of solidarity and support for the Iranian nation.
The foreign minister said Iran has always given priority, within the framework of expanding relations with independent countries and those interested in constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation with Iran, and added that Belarus holds a special place among such countries. Araqchi stressed that Tehran intends to employ all existing capacities in both countries to advance the interests of the two nations.
He added that Iran and Belarus are also present together within the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS, and are determined to use the capacities of these regional and international bodies in the interests of both countries.
Iran and Belarus are both subjected to unjust, unilateral and illegal sanctions imposed by Western countries, Araqchi deplored, noting that the two nations cooperate in international organizations to counter unilateral coercive measures and to confront illegal sanctions.
Araqchi said the two sides held very useful talks and agreed on a one-year roadmap for bilateral cooperation, specifying the steps that should be taken to make greater use of existing capacities in economic relations and overall ties between the two countries.