Despite the global coronavirus pandemic and the crisis in the world economy, Belarus and Azerbaijan managed not only not to worsen trade and economic indicators but also to build them up, Ambassador of Belarus to Azerbaijan Andrei Ravkov wrote in an article dedicated to the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus and bilateral relations with Azerbaijan, Report informs.
The diplomat noted that in 2020 the bilateral trade turnover between the countries approached half a billion dollars: “Azerbaijan entered the top 15 biggest trade partners of Belarus. This trend has continued this year. For four months of 2021, the trade turnover exceeded $250 million, which is twice higher than the figures for the same period last year.”
“Last year’s supplies of Azerbaijani oil to Belarus organically fit into the overall picture of trade growth between the two countries: under the agreements, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) shipped more than 800,000 tons of oil for the Mozyr oil refinery. Today supplies of Azerbaijani hydrocarbons to Belarus continue, and about 360,000 tons have already been delivered,” the ambassador said.
Ravkov added that the parties are also working on expanding cooperation in various areas of the petrochemical industry.
“Thus, it is obvious that the Belarusian-Azerbaijani relations have passed the stage of formation and reached a qualitatively new level of stable long-term mutually beneficial strategic partnership, distinguished by an open, friendly, and trusting nature. Today, despite all the objective difficulties, we are confidently looking into the future development of bilateral relations and are focused on further constructive cooperation with our Azerbaijani friends. I am sure that with the end of the pandemic, we will make up for all missed opportunities,” the Belarusian ambassador added.