Lukashenko: Belarus and Kazakhstan have achieved a great deal in developing relations in recent years

Belarus and Kazakhstan have achieved a great deal in developing relations in recent years. The visit to Belarus by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, could provide an even greater impetus to bilateral interaction. This was stated by the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, at a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Belarus, Askar Beisenbayev, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.

"We have achieved a great deal in recent years, both in terms of integration, especially within the EAEU, and in terms of bilateral relations, trade, and cooperation," stressed the head of state. "Of course, we would like this to be deeper cooperation, to expand our volumes. We are ready to load production more, to create assembly plants, to load existing ones. In short, the governments have something to work on."

"It would be good if the visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Belarus, postponed due to the pandemic, took place. This would be a good impetus for the further development of relations," added Alexander Lukashenko.

Addressing the ambassador, the President expressed hope that Askar Beisenbayev would be a strong support for the development of bilateral cooperation. "I very much hope that you will work for a long, long time in the field of Belarusian-Kazakh cooperation," continued the head of state. "I very much count on us doing a lot more for the benefit of our two peoples."

In turn, Askar Beisenbayev conveyed greetings and best, friendly wishes from the First President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, and the current President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to the head of the Belarusian state.

"Kazakhstan and Belarus are friendly countries that support each other in any arena, including the international one. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you. 2020 was a difficult year, a year of struggle with the pandemic, when all countries went into self-isolation, and we saw great friendly assistance from Belarus," said the Ambassador. He addressed special words of gratitude to Belavia airline for maintaining air communication in the initial period of the pandemic, which helped to organise the return of many citizens of Kazakhstan to their homeland.

In terms of Belarusian exports, Kazakhstan is among the top ten major trading partners of the country. According to the results of 2020, the trade turnover between Belarus and Kazakhstan amounted to $847.9 million (92.2% of the 2019 level), including Belarusian exports - $747.1 million (97.6%), imports - $100.8 million (65.1%). Among the main export items to Kazakhstan are tractors, meat and dairy products, sugar, combine harvesters, furniture, and medicines. Coal, oil products, cotton fibre, rails, unwrought zinc, ferroalloys, and metal products were imported from Kazakhstan.

The commodity distribution network of Belarusian enterprises in Kazakhstan includes over 40 entities established with the participation of Belarusian capital, as well as over 170 entities in the dealer network. Seven joint assembly plants for Belarusian machinery and equipment are in operation, including MTZ, MAZ, Gomselmash, and Bobruiskagromash.

Currently, the parties are preparing an intergovernmental plan of measures for the development of trade and economic cooperation for 2021-2022.

BELTA