President Armen Sarkissian met with President Alexander Lukashenko: Our doors are always open for you

President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met today in Minsk.

Alexander Lukashenko welcomed President Sarkissian’s visit to Belarus and noted that the agreement that the President of Armenia would visit Belarus and learn firsthand the country’s opportunities had been reached before. “I have been following your visit on TV and noted that you didn’t forget things we had spoken about and would like to visit the places which are prominent from the viewpoint of the development of the Belarusian economy. I followed your meetings with the representatives of our IT area and understood that you are holding in the focus of your attention the issues which are important for Armenia’s development.

With this regard, I would like to assure you, just as I did last time, that there are no closed topics with Armenia. Our doors are always open for you. I believe, you saw it during your visit.”

He informed that before the meeting, he had had a phone conversation with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. “He called me before his visit to Singapore and asked to convey greetings to the President. I responded that there was no hurry for the President’s return to Armenia, considering that he was busy with the issues important for Armenia. I told him about your visit. He said that it was certainly good. I say it frankly: Don’t go back too soon, see everything you want to from the viewpoint of agriculture and industry development. You’re a knowledgeable, smart, and practical man who knows what to look at and what’s important and useful for Armenia,” the President of Belarus said.

Speaking about the cooperation of the two countries, President Lukashenko said, “Even though our turnover today is not a large one, 50 million USD is not bad dynamics compared to the previous numbers. We have cordial relations with many representatives of Armenia. You know my friends in Armenia, who are making investments in Belarus, and I am very grateful for that. I have a rule: friendship is fine, but state interests are different. And when I was approached with the request to supply certain merchandise, I said that the principle was the following: You come to Belarus, you start production, create jobs, make investments, please… Gagik Tsarukian’s company is a successful company. We have organized the works of the Armenian-Belarusian Trade House, and I was reported that 30-40% turnover between Armenia and Belarus is made through it. It means that we have already created joint ventures and are ready to continue with that course.”

Alexander Lukashenko noted that there was a very warm attitude toward Armenians in Belarus and added,” We have always had good relations with Armenians and it is true today, too. Don’t worry even though different opinions are voiced in Armenia and in Belarus, and we are criticized for certain things. I see it as natural, but it is important that we are allies, standing on the same position. We, in fact, don’t differ even on the international agenda items.”

President Sarkissian thanked for the invitation to participate the momentous event – the closing ceremony of the Second European Games and noted, “I am greatly impressed with the scale of the event, managerial jobs, and discipline. On the area of former USSR, on certain directions Belarus continues to be a champion. Everything I have seen – organizational precision, discipline was impressive. I like the fact that Belarus is ahead of many countries in its comprehension that in the 21st century, reality and virtual reality will complement each other.

I am also glad that the Armenian athletes have been successful. I would like to congratulate all athletes, the team of Belarus which has performed splendidly, our sportsmen who performed well here. I believe, Belarus is ready for greater sporting events.

You have a vision and wisdom to see the future. Without that vision, it is difficult to build the present.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Sarkissian congratulated Alexander Lukashenko and the people of Belarus on National holiday celebrated on June 3 and on the 75th anniversary of liberation from fascism.