Belarus, Mongolia sign 14 documents on expanding bilateral cooperation

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Belarus and Mongolia signed 14 documents on Monday to expand bilateral cooperation during Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s official visit to the Mongolian capital.

Following narrow and expanded talks, Lukashenko and his Mongolian counterpart Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh attended a signing ceremony during which the documents were signed, notably including a roadmap for cooperation between the two countries until 2026, said a statement by the Belarusian presidency.

“Today we have identified strategic directions for bilateral cooperation. And not only strategic ones. Specific economic and cooperation projects were discussed in detail,” Lukashenko was quoted as saying during a press conference following the ceremony.

Expressing that Belarus intends to develop cooperation with Mongolia in a wide range of areas, Lukashenko said his country is committed to long-term mutually beneficial cooperation, and is ready to use preferential financing mechanisms for projects among other things.

The statement further touched on the narrow and expanded talks held between Lukashenko and Khurelsukh, stating that the two heads of state discussed promising areas of cooperation.

It said that they discussed the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the trade and economic sphere, as well as supplying the Mongolian market with in-demand food and industrial products from domestic enterprises and joint work in agro-industry.

“Let's say frankly that our trade and economic relations want, to put it mildly, to be much better. If you wish, we are ready to do everything to contribute our part of the work to the well-being of the Mongolian people,” Lukashenko said during the talks.

For his part, Khurelsukh was quoted as saying that the first-ever visit by a Belarusian president since the establishment of bilateral ties will open a “new page in the good and trusting relations of our peoples.”

“This is a historic visit that will strengthen our relations and cooperation,” he added.

Lukashenko arrived in Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar on Saturday on an official visit, which will continue until June 4.