Lukashenko to Nicaragua’s FM: We have much work to focus on
The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has met today with the Foreign Minister of Nicaragua, Denis Ronaldo Moncada Colindres
Welcoming the guest, the Head of State noted, “When I think about Nicaragua, I always have a thought that it is such a distant and so close country for us. If to assess our relations on general, I must say that we have much work to focus on. We have a lot to do to bring our relations to the highest level, and there are examples of this. Take Cuba, Venezuela and other Latin American states, with which we have very close not only political, but also trade and economic relations. I think we need to do the same with Nicaragua, and we have everything now to enjoy so good, close relations – even the legendary leader, whom we all love and respect in Belarus.”
The Head of State asked the Foreign Minister to convey the warmest words to Daniel Ortega on behalf of the Belarusian people and himself, “We admire his political activity.”
Diplomatic relations between Belarus and Nicaragua were established in May 1994. Minsk and Managua actively co-operate within the framework of international organisations.
Nicaragua is a member of the Group of Friends United in the Fight Against Human Trafficking, which was created at the initiative of Belarus at the UN. The country is a co-author of Belarus’ Improving Co-ordination of Efforts Against Human Trafficking resolution. In 2019, for the first time, a Nicaraguan delegation co-authored the Long-Term Consequences of Chernobyl Disaster resolution promoted by Belarus. The two countries also constructively co-operate on the issue of supporting candidates for elections to UN bodies and other international organisations. The Nicaraguan side has expressed its readiness to vote for Belarus in the June 2023 elections to the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for 2024-2025.
However, the legal framework is still being formed, and it includes only a few international treaties. Currently, work is underway to co-ordinate the drafts of a number of key agreements that will form the basis for development of trade and economic co-operation. During the Nicaraguan Foreign Minister’s current visit to Belarus, a general agreement between the governments of the two countries on the provision of export credits and an intergovernmental agreement on co-operation in the field of education are planned for signing. In addition, work continues on the co-ordination of draft agreements on the promotion and mutual protection of investments, on trade and economic co-operation, on the establishment of a joint commission on trade and economic co-operation, on mutual protection of classified information and mutual cancellation of visas.
Supplies from Belarus traditionally form the basis of the bilateral trade and economic relations. The trade turnover volume is relatively small, and it stood at $800,000 last year. Belarus sold primarily printed products, spare parts for cars and tractors, semi-trailer trucks and tractors, and tires, while importing coffee, bananas and knitted products from Nicaragua.
