Aliaksandr Lukashenka used an unusual diplomatic expression during talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, suggesting that they should “consecrate” their agreements and pray to Allah for their implementation.
Lukashenka began by recalling their informal conversation the previous day. He stressed that he had been looking forward to welcoming Mirziyoyev to Minsk as a friend. According to him, he is ready to do everything possible to ensure the visit is successful. Lukashenka also said that the policies of the two countries are aligned.
“We stand for a multipolar world. We do not want to interfere with anyone. We focus on our people, and Uzbekistan focuses on its own people. At the same time, we are working very actively to link our interests,” he said, according to his press service.
According to Lukashenka, Uzbekistan is Belarus’ third-largest trading partner among CIS countries. Bilateral trade currently stands at $1 billion, and the two countries have now set a target of reaching $2 billion.
“It is very important that, in addition to our joint projects (and we will strictly fulfil our commitments here), with your help we can also enter third-country markets, especially those that are close to Uzbekistan. There is great interest there, and we will work together. Especially since this work has already begun,” he said.
Lukashenka also highlighted progress in industrial cooperation.
“We have already launched joint production of the 130-tonne BelAZ haul truck in your country. We are ready to move on to the 220-tonne model. We need to keep advancing in this direction. If we continue to receive the same level of support from your side in Uzbekistan, we will achieve this very quickly.
Yesterday you mentioned that we could reach nearly 3,000 tractors. We will provide after-sales service. Overall, we will ensure that the entire machinery manufacturing sector performs in a way we can be proud of,” he said.
He also pointed to opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, healthcare and cultural exchanges.
“We will consecrate everything that has been achieved so far. Business representatives have met, a large number of companies have reached many agreements. The humanitarian agenda has also been worked through. Yesterday we spent three hours in dialogue. What is left now? As they say in church, to ‘consecrate’ it all; to ask Allah to ensure it is all implemented. And that is what we will do,” he concluded.
During the expanded-format talks, Lukashenka clarified that the $2 billion trade target should be achieved by 2030. He also highlighted several joint projects.
“Two years ago, we launched our first investment project in the agricultural sector — the creation of an advanced full-cycle poultry complex in the Tashkent region, covering everything from hatching eggs to meat processing and the sale of finished products.
We welcome the interest of Uzbek businesses in establishing modern livestock complexes in the Vitsebsk region. For you, this is an opportunity to produce and supply high-quality meat products to Uzbekistan that you produce yourselves. For Belarus, it means people, jobs and rural development,” he said.
Lukashenka concluded that relations between the two countries are entering a new stage.
“The president has just told me that the conversation we had in the restricted-format meeting alone was worth coming to Belarus for. That is because we agreed on a fundamentally new approach to our relations in areas of cooperation that are sensitive for both Uzbekistan and Belarus.
To ensure that our ambitious plans are implemented, our governments have prepared a roadmap outlining the main areas of joint work for the next five years. It specifies tonnes, units, those responsible and deadlines. Production cooperation is the key element, as it makes a significant contribution to Uzbekistan’s technological sovereignty,” he added.
