Lukashenko: Belarus ready to buy necessary agricultural products from Tajikistan in any volume
The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has held a meeting with the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, at the Palace of Independence tonight
Addressing the guest who arrived in Minsk to participate in tomorrow's CSTO Summit, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted, “We are welcoming you as a friend. You are very close to the Belarusian people, who know you well – not only because we are so ‘long-livers’. You are respected for your openness and sincerity, just like the entire Tajik people. I know that we all face a difficult situation today, and it has always been not simple for you. You are constantly being warmed up there from the south. I know it is not easy, but I am always amazed at how you manage to keep the economy developing in this situation. I am very glad that you are gradually but confidently progressing in the electric power industry. I will be very happy if you sell much volume of electricity in that region, as this will be a good source of income for the Tajik hardworking people.”
As for bilateral relations, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted a good increase in mutual trade, which is expected this year, “Our turnover is likely to reach $100m. We are ready to buy your products in any volumes, especially agricultural ones, which, unfortunately, we do not have in our country. With this in view, Tajikistan has addressed us with a request to establish a large shopping centre here. I wish you to know that we will do everything to ensure that it is created here. We have offered three locations in Minsk to your initiators, but we will find another place if these ones are not satisfactory. We are ready to work together with you in this regard. All your products (aluminium, cotton, agricultural products) will enjoy great demand here. In short, our economy, politics, and the humanitarian sphere are developing well. We are also effectively working in the military-technical terms. We are ready to increase the volume of trade turnover to the extent necessary for friendly Tajikistan.”
