BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

05/04/2008

Belarus lauds promising relationship

MINSK - Belorussian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that Belarus is a reliable and promising partner for Viet Nam.

He made the statement in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency in Minsk yesterday before his upcoming visit to Viet Nam.

President Lukashenko emphasised the value of the Belarus-Viet Nam friendship, which has helped create a firm foundation for the two countries' relationship for decades.

He affirmed that Belarus and Viet Nam have forged close political ties and co-ordinated constructively in the international arena.

Regarding the two countries' viewpoints and activities in the framework of the United Nations, President Lukashenko commented that the co-ordination of actions between Belarus and Viet Nam was fruitful and beneficial to the two countries' interest.

He cited the two countries' similar stances on major international issues, particularly in building an equal world order based on the principle of strengthening the multi-polar world and respecting recognised international legal standards.

The two countries had shared viewpoints on resolutions relating to the Middle East and Africa and both advocated an increased role of the United Nations in handling economic and humanitarian problems, the President said.

"Our countries share similar viewpoints on the human rights issue and together fight against the 'double standards' that several countries impose on the issue," he said.

On bilateral economic and trade ties, the President said two-way trade value, though reaching more than US$60 million in 2007, had yet to match the two countries' economic potential. Hence, it was necessary to facilitate business operation in the Belorussian and Vietnamese markets, he emphasised.

Regarding the upcoming Viet Nam visit, the President said the two sides were scheduled to sign a series of documents towards the target of $100 million in two-way trade in the coming time. "Viet Nam has made many changes since my previous visit but one thing remains unchanged: Viet Nam is still a friend of Belarus," he said.

President Lukashenko expressed his belief that his visit would promote the comprehensive development of the two countries' relationships in politics, economics, culture and humanitarianism.

He went on to say, "I really hope that the meetings in Viet Nam will have concrete content and create a strong momentum for the relationship between Belarus and Viet Nam to further develop."-VNS

Source:

http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=04POL050408

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