Lukashenko: There are no closed topics in the relations of Belarus  and Armenia

ArmInfo.  There are no closed topics in the relations between Belarus and Armenia. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko stated this on July 2 at a meeting with  President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian.

"For us, there are no closed topics with Armenia. Any of your wishes,  aspirations, if you see something in Belarus acceptable to Armenia,  we are always ready to open doors for you," Alexander Lukashenko  assured, the press service of the Belarusian leader reports.

The head of the Belarusian state reminded that when Armen Sarkissian  became the President of Armenia, an agreement was reached on his  visit to Belarus to visit places of significance in terms of economic  development. According to him, it was possible to put these  agreements into practice now.

The President of Belarus mentioned his telephone conversation with  Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. "He called before his visit  to Singapore, asked him to convey greetings to the president.  I said  to him: don't even think about it, we don't intend to rush him return  to Armenia. Moreover, he is doing the things necessary for Armenia,"  the Belarusian leader said.

He suggested Armen Sarkissian to stay for some time in Belarus. "You  really do not rush back. Look at what interests you from the point of  view of economic development, industry, agriculture. As an  intelligent person, intelligent, educated, moreover, practical you  know what to see and what is important and useful for Armenia ",  continued the head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko also reminded that the cooperation between  Belarus and Armenia began virtually from scratch. "Today, although we  do not have a huge turnover, but $ 50 million per annum is not a bad  trend, if we compare it with those zero indicators," he stated.

According to him, close cooperation with representatives of the  business community has been established.  "We have very good, warm  relations with many representatives of Armenia, including private  business.  You know them, my friends in Armenia, who invest in  Belarus. I am very grateful," the President said.

At the same time, he stressed a single requirement for all who intend  to do business in Belarus. "I have one principle: friendship is one  thing, and the state is all separately. My service should not be  connected with this. When they asked me to get permission for the  supply of some goods especially sensitive for Belarus, I immediately  said: general principles. You come to Belarus, you open an  enterprise, you create jobs, you invest - please, supply raw  materials, modify it, "the head of state emphasized.

According to this principle, the entrepreneur Gagik Tsarukyan  organized in Belarus an enterprise for bottling Armenian brandy.  "Similarly, we organized the work of the Belarusian-Armenian trading  house, and, as I report, 30-40% of the trade turnover between Belarus  and Armenia goes through it. That is, we have got used to the economy  in terms of our cooperation, the foundation of which is the creation  of joint ventures. We are ready to go this way, "added Alexander  Lukashenko.

The head of state noted the good relations that have developed  between the countries both at a high political level and at the level  of personal relations between citizens. "To the Armenians in Belarus  is a very kind, warm attitude. In general, our people are such that  they do not make any special claims to any of the peoples. The main  thing is that it should be based on respect, fraternal relations. We  always have good relations with Armenians, and we are trying to  support them, " the President added.

Despite criticism, which is sometimes heard from both sides and  which, naturally, can arise in relations between the countries,  cooperation between Belarus and Armenia remains strong and reliable,  Lukashenko assured. "The main thing is that we are allies, we act  from the same positions, we basically have no differences even on the  international agenda. In this vein, we will always act," concluded  the Belarusian leader.   In turn, Armen Sarkissian thanked Alexander Lukashenko for the  invitation to visit Belarus and attend the closing ceremony of the II  European Games. "I am absolutely impressed with the scope,  organization and discipline," he admitted. "It seems to me that  Belarus is ready for a larger event." The President of Armenia noted  a very worthy performance at the games of the athletes of his  country, and also congratulated the Belarusian national team with  success.  Armen Sarkissian also shared his impressions of visiting  the High-Tech Park, where he was pleasantly surprised by what he saw.  "I really liked that Belarus is ahead of many, that Belarus  understood: in the future, virtual reality will only complement," he  said.

The President of Armenia highlighted the correctness of the  development path chosen by Belarus and the role of the head of state  who influenced this choice. "You have a vision of the future and  wisdom. These are not just flattering words. This is a reality," he  stressed.  The heads of state exchanged gifts. Alexander Lukashenko  handed over to his colleague souvenirs of the II European Games - a  bog oak panel with medallions fixed on it, symbolizing 15 sports  presented on the forum, an exclusive set of chocolate and a talisman  of games Lesik fox.  The latter, as Armen Sarkissian admitted, is  very opportune. He congratulated the President of Belarus on the  upcoming state holiday - Independence Day, noting that this date  coincides with the birthday of his grandson, who is also called Armen  and whom  Armenian leader will give this Lesik.  In turn, Armen  Sarkissian presented Alexander Lukashenko with papyrus, which from  Jerusalem, with the Our Father prayer written on it.