Lukashenko Calls for Strengthening Belarusian Cooperation with Arab Countries

 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, during a meeting with the Speaker of the Arab Parliament, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Yamahi, called for strengthening cooperation with Arab nations, including North African states, BelTA reported.

"It is very important that our relations with all countries of the Arab world reach the same level as with the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Libya, and Jordan. We would like to have such relations with other countries as well," Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian leader noted that the foundation for expanding ties is a shared approach to resolving international issues through peaceful and diplomatic means. He also supported the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the National Assembly of Belarus and the Arab Parliament.

Lukashenko stated that Belarus is ready to develop cooperation with Arab countries in mechanical engineering, agriculture, medicine, education, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, he suggested that Arab states diversify their foreign ties.

Mohammed Ahmed Al-Yamahi, in turn, expressed his intention to strengthen cooperation with Belarus and noted the high level of Minsk's relations with Arab states.

"We hope that inter-parliamentary cooperation will continue to meet this high level and maintain it," Al-Yamahi said.

A memorandum of understanding was also signed in Minsk between the National Assembly of Belarus and the Arab Parliament. The document was signed by Chairperson of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova, Chairman of the House of Representatives Igor Sergeyenko, and Arab Parliament Speaker Mohammed Ahmed Al-Yamahi. As the parties noted, the agreement is intended to create a more systematic framework for inter-parliamentary cooperation and to facilitate the expansion of economic and trade ties between Belarus and countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

The Arab Parliament includes representatives from 22 countries that are members of the League of Arab States (LAS), including Djibouti, Egypt, Comoros, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, and Tunisia.

In October of last year, Lukashenko held a meeting on developing cooperation with African countries, during which he instructed the government to expand exports of Belarusian products to the continent and occupy available niches in African markets.