Opinion: Belarus-Iran co-operation is beneficial to both sides

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, announced his visit to Iran in mid-March, and political expert Aleksandr Shpakovsky has explained the importance of such plans

In his talk with Alfa Radio, the expert recalled that Aleksandr Lukashenko had held a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the summit of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation in September, “Agreements were then reached, and a certain roadmap of co-operation between Belarus and Iran in the economic and political spheres was prepared. In addition, Vladimir Makei visited Iran last year – also holding high-level meetings; the President's visit was being worked out at that time. I must say that our political contacts with Iran, despite a certain pause in co-operation until 2021, are of a fairly high level. Meanwhile, the trade and economic contacts are still lagging behind.”

Mr. Shpakovsky believes both countries definitely have a potential to significantly increase their trade turnover. “Iran in interested in including Belarusian enterprises in its state programmes of the mining industry development, and especially BELAZ has a great export potential in this regard. We can also offer many more to our Iranian colleagues. Actually, Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union have practically formed a free trade zone, and much can be done together through the Caspian Sea, by using the North–South corridor. This will be beneficial to both sides,” he said.