Ambassador: We are close and friendly countries, and strategic partners

Chairperson of the Republican Council of Belarus's National Assembly Natalya Kochanova met in Minsk with the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Belarus, Latif Gandilov, Report informs, citing BelTA.

"First of all, I want to note the high level of political dialogue and the high dynamics of cooperation between our countries. This is worthy of praise. Azerbaijan is a close friend. This is due to the good relations between the presidents of our states," said Natalya Kochanova.

The speaker noted a tremendous untapped potential of trade, economic and political cooperation, and humanitarian relations: "We will do everything to develop our good relations further. We are very pleased to state that the trade turnover between Belarus and Azerbaijan in 2020 rose 1.5 times and amounted to almost 450 million dollars."

Natalya Kochanova noted the active exchange of visits at the highest level: "Unfortunately, 2020 suffered from a pandemic. We had to count on the transition to online communication. But I think that everything will be fine, and we will continue our close cooperation. We will definitely support all the initiatives of the deputies of Belarus and Azerbaijan and help to implement them. We are working on the issue of organizing the visit of our Azerbaijani colleagues to Belarus. Now we are working to organize a visit at the highest level. I assure you once again that we will do our best for this cooperation to be long-term and fruitful," added Natalya Kochanova.

The speaker called on the two countries' youth to more active cooperation: "There is a Youth Parliament in the National Assembly of Belarus. And we would like our youth to cooperate more actively."

Ambassador Latif Gandilov thanked the speaker for the opportunity to meet and for the high assessment of bilateral relations.

"Over the past 25 years, very constructive, fruitful and effective relations have developed between our countries. The heads of state have determined their nature. We are not only close friendly countries but also strategic partners. This changes the nature of our relations," he said.