BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

22/01/2007

President stresses bolstering ties with Belarus

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday stressed the importance of bolstering relations with Belarus with respect to the two countries' strategic position.

President Ahmadinejad met with the visiting Belarus Defense Minister Leonid Maltsev, who heading a top-ranking delegation, arrived in Tehran on Sunday for a two-day visit.

"Progress and power of the two independent states of Iran and Belarus will be in interest of their nations.

"The two countries can complete each other in various fields with respect to their great potentials and capabilities," he said.

He added that Tehran and Minsk have a common stance on regional and international issues, saying, "Tehran welcomes and supports expansion of relations with Belarus in all fields."

Ahmadinejad urged the two countries' officials to speed up putting into practice of agreements already signed between Iran and Belarus, saying the contracts showed determination of the two governments and nations to boost mutual ties.

Maltsev, for his part, pointed to Iran's eye-catching progress in various fields and called for promotion of Minsk ties with Tehran.

He said that quick implementation of agreements would prepare ground for enhancing the level of cooperation.

Source:

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0701228707162233.htm