BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

07/11/2006

Iran eyes surge in trade with ally Belarus

AFP

TEHRAN -- Iran and its top European ally Belarus Tuesday signed a raft of deals to massively increase bilateral trade as Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko wrapped up a visit to Tehran.

"Both countries are powerful and independent with a lot of potential in their economies and Mr. Lukashenko's visit has opened up a new chapter in bilateral relations," Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said as he bid farewell to his visitor.

Lukashenko has emerged as a prominent supporter of Iran in recent years and along with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is one of the most vocal international backers of Iran's contested nuclear program.

The cooperation deals signed include the oil sector and the car and tractor industries.

Annual trade between Iran and Belarus currently stands at $40 million but the deals will lift this to $350 million, both leaders said, expressing hope that bilateral trade could reach $1 billion in the future.

"We have good political cooperation and common views on most international issues. The Iranian and Belarusian economies complement each other and thus we should make more efforts to enhance our cooperation," said Lukashenko.

Lukashenko's government has been fiercely criticized by the European Union and United States, which accuse him of running an authoritarian regime that clamps down on human rights.

A joint statement also reaffirmed Minsk's position as a strong supporter of Iran's insistence over its right to nuclear energy.

"Both sides believe any non-nuclear country that is a member of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has the undeniable right to implement nuclear power within the range of the International Atomic Energy Agency charter."

Source:

http://www.metimes.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20061107-050035-5902r