Lukashenko: Belarus, Azerbaijan share common values

President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has held a meeting with Chair of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova today. The official visit of the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation began last Sunday, and the guests have already held a number of meetings and events in Belarus – continuing the implementation of the agreements reached during the state visit of the Belarusian leader to Azerbaijan this May.

Welcoming Sahiba Gafarova at the Palace of Independence, Aleksandr Lukashenko said, “I am sure that you are well acquainted with Belarus and love it not only at the suggestion of our parliamentary leaders. I have been observing your visit, and I am pleased that the values of Azerbaijan and Belarus coincide. I think this refers to all aspects.”

The Head of State recalled that Belarus is celebrating the 80th anniversary of liberation from Nazi invaders this year, “We really appreciate the feat that the Azerbaijanis accomplished on the territory of Belarus. There were many of them, and many were the Soviet Union heroes. You treated this with respect by laying a wreath at the monument on Victory Square. It is very important and symbolic at the present time.”

Speaking about inter-parliamentary relations, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed, “This is the case when inter-parliamentary ties do not lag behind the level of relations between the leaders of our states. You know our relations with Ilham Heydarovich [Aliyev]. They are long-lasting, and it is possible even to say that they have been developing since the time of his father. I respected Heydar very much, I knew him well. We sat next to each other at all meetings, constantly discussing problems. He was a very visionary man. Ilham is a worthy follower of his father's work. He has probably done so much in history that it is unlikely that any president after Ilham Heydarovich will repeat it, especially in terms of restoring the integrity of Azerbaijan.”

photos: www.president.gov.by