‘Minsk speaks in favour of a just world, and we go to Africa as friends’

Negotiations between President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko and Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo took place at the Palace of Independence in Minsk

belta

“Everyone perceives this African continent differently. But everyone shares the view that Africa will in many ways shape the future of the planet. I also hold this opinion. For me, Africa is no longer a mysterious continent. In the past I visited mostly North Africa, while in recent years I have been able to visit both the centre and the south of your continent. Therefore, I have an understanding of what Africa is, and I am happy with the processes that are taking place in Africa. Africa is pushing forward, African nations are becoming truly independent. In other words, Africa is freeing itself from its colonial legacy. You should know that we absolutely welcome this process way and will support those nations that want to become independent,” the President said during the talks with Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in a narrow format.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarus is a tech-savvy nation and is ready to share its technologies not only with Equatorial Guinea, but also with other interested African states. 
In turn, the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea thanked the Belarusian side for the warm welcome and hospitality. He also apologised for having to reschedule his previously scheduled visit due to a change in his work schedule.
“My visit to Belarus is evidence of my conviction that Belarus and the Belarusian people are a fraternal people and a fraternal country for us,” Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo said.
According to the distinguished guest, during the visit he intends to discuss all the issues on the bilateral agenda and co-operation projects between Belarus and Equatorial Guinea. The negotiations also touched on current international issues.
“We do not forget that the Soviet Union and its member countries played a great role in liberating the African continent from colonial dependence and continue to do so [contributing to the liberation from neocolonial dependence]. We are getting close to celebrating the 100th anniversary of acquisition of independence by a number of African states. At the same time we understand that they acquired kind of nominal independence. We continue to remain victims of neocolonialism. We still feel the pressure of the countries that try to carry on this policy. If extreme poverty still exists on the African continent, it means that imperial neocolonial forces continue exploiting our countries, taking natural resources from us and sucking everything that could invigorate us out of us,” Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo emphasised.
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo stressed that representatives of Equatorial Guinea and other countries had repeatedly mentioned all of these problems and situations within the framework of the United Nations Organisation, however, as the practice shows, nothing has changed.
Following the results of the negotiations in a narrow format, the Head of the Belarusian State noted the openness of the parties and readiness to discuss a wide range of issues.
“It is obvious that Africa is going through kind of a renaissance. Africa is becoming the key to the planet’s sustainable development in the 21st century before our very eyes,” the Belarusian leader stated during the talks in an expanded format. In his words, the joint peacemaking mission of leaders of the African Union countries to Ukraine and Russia, Africa’s active role in BRICS and the Non-Aligned Movement vividly testify to it.

“African countries are resolved to escape the diktat of Western transnational corporations, which see them only as mere suppliers of raw materials, extract oil, gold, and natural gas from them, and doom the peoples of Africa to wretched existence and hunger. Unlike Western ‘democratisers’ Belarus is ready to help you be the masters of your land for the benefit of your own people by creating national manufacturing sector, modernising agriculture, developing science and technologies. Working within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, together with Russia and other republics of the former Soviet Union, we offer your country access to unique technologies, goods, and services,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The Head of State noted that for three decades Belarus has been dealing with the pressure of the West and is categorically opposed to any attempts at pressure, “Belarusians do not have colonial habits and do not try to impose anything on anyone. Minsk speaks in favour of a just, multipolar world, and we go to Africa as friends. Our machines, vehicles, and technologies are known well on your continent. Many medics and engineers of yours have been trained in Belarusian universities. This is why we should not have any particular difficulties with establishing the dialogue. I am convinced we will not have.”
The Head of State stressed that independence and sovereignty of a country primarily stem from a strong economy while Belarus has experience and accomplishments to become an active participant of the social and economic flourishing of Africa and Africa’s final liberation from the yoke of former colonial powers.
As for Equatorial Guinea, Belarus is ready to help with the country’s industrialisation, modernisation of agriculture, with ensuring food security, with deliveries of a broad range of machines, vehicles, and equipment, other industrial and food products.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the joint work of business circles and national chambers of commerce and industry should become a key link in the process of building and forming new sustainable business ties.
Following negotiations with Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Aleksandr Lukashenko said, 

“We welcome peaceful initiatives of African Heads of State to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. We are in solidarity with the need to end deaths and suffering of people as soon as possible... Furthermore, we hope that through joint efforts we will achieve a steady increase in trade turnover between our countries. We will strive to exceed $100 million in trade turnover in 2030.”

The Head of State emphasised that the interest of Belarus and Equatorial Guinea in each other is enormous. “The current situation in the world is pushing for more active interaction. I have already told my colleague and friend that no one will leave Equatorial Guinea, a relatively small state but very rich in resources, alone. The President agreed with me.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that in a short time the parties will conclude new contracts and put millions of dollars into the treasury of relations.
“I am confident that with your personal support, Belarus and Equatorial Guinea will in the near future make progress in the supply of equipment, modernisation of agriculture, and ensuring food security. We are ready to work with you in this regard. Moreover, we not only offer you our products and are ready to buy your products from you. We need to co-operate, create joint ventures in your country and ours that will produce these goods. We need to go deeper. We are ready for this. Likewise, we are ready to train your specialists who will work at enterprises with advanced technologies in Equatorial Guinea,” the Head of State addressed the President of Equatorial Guinea.
It is also planned to expand partnerships in the petrochemical sector and the extractive industry, in education and training, medicine, and the development of human relations.
A number of international documents were signed following negotiations between the Presidents of Belarus and Equatorial Guinea, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

Foreign Minister of Equatorial Guinea Simeón Oyono Esono Angue and Belarus’ Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik during
the signing of a number of documents  Belta


Among them are an intergovernmental framework agreement on economic, trade, cultural, scientific and technical co-operation, an agreement on visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports. Agreements on co-operation in the field of healthcare and education, and a memorandum of understanding between the relevant departments of the two countries on co-operation in the field of agriculture were also signed.
An agreement was also signed between the Culture Ministry of Belarus and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Craft Promotion of Equatorial Guinea.
Aleksandr Lukashenko appealed to the participants of the signing ceremony so that they do not delay the implementation of the agreements reached. 

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by