Iran to promote political, economic ties with Belarus

In a meeting with Belarus Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov on the sidelines of the 16th Forum of Shanghai Cooperation Organization's Council of Prime Ministers, he recalled Belarus president's imminent visit to Tehran, hoping that the significant trip would help work out approaches for improving mutual ties.

The two countries boast on various capacities for cooperation, he said, noting that it is necessary to identify new areas of cooperation and remove obstacles in the way of boosting collaboration during the 14th joint cooperation commission of the two countries.

Recalling purchase of two oil shipments from Iran by Belarus in recent days, he said that Iran is ready for cooperation with Belarus in the oil sector, and welcomes investment of Belarus companies in Iran's oilfields.

Despite the JCPOA reached between Iran and world major powers, the Americans are working to disrupt the implementation of the deal, as they are threatening big banks to discontinue their cooperation with Iran, but Iran currently has cooperation with the international banking system.

Belarusian premier, for his part, expressed sympathy and condolences over the devastating quake in western Iran, describing Iran as the most significant partner of his country.

Minsk is interested to promote economic and trade ties with Iran to the highest possible level, Kobyakov said.

Noting that Belarus was under sanctions of big powers for a period and the two countries have proper mutual understanding in this respect, he hoped that bilateral relations will reach higher levels, particularly in post-JCPOA era.

Iran is a country with rich culture and civilization, he said, expressing pleasure over having a partner like Iran in the region.

Stressing the need for promoting banking collaboration between the two countries, the premier said that his country will try to pave the way for talks between the two countries' central banks.

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