Belarus-Azerbaijan relations rely on openness, trust, friendship and mutual support, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Azerbaijan Andrei Ravkov said in an interview with the daily newspaper Novoye Vremya, BelTA has learned.

The diplomat emphasized constant bilateral contacts and effective interaction. Telephone conversations between the presidents of Belarus and Azerbaijan and the heads of government were held at the initiative of both sides during the year. The heads of state, prime ministers and foreign ministers communicated at various international forums, such as the recent SCO summit in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), the meeting of the EAEU Intergovernmental Council in Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyzstan), and the OSCE Ministerial Council in Stockholm (Sweden). The main topics are the development of bilateral relations, trade and economic cooperation and other important issues.

"The heads of the parliaments of the two states, Natalya Kochanova and Sahiba Gafarova, had a conversation at a meeting of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly in Samarkand. Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan and the National Assembly of Belarus have parliamentary friendship groups. They are headed by such influential people as Academician Ziyad Samadzade and Mikhail Rusy," the ambassador continued.

He also said that Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister, co-chairman of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation Igor Petrishenko paid a working visit to Baku last month to "compare notes". He held meetings with Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Akhmedov.

"Our ministries of foreign affairs cooperate closely and consistently, holding bilateral events and providing mutual support on issues of interest within the framework of international organizations. Multilateral diplomacy in today's turbulent world is important for our countries from the point of view of protecting and promoting relevant interests," Ambassador Andrei Ravkov noted.

Written by belta.by