Belarus keen to build modern agricultural town in Azerbaijan's Aghdam

Azerbaijan and Belarus will gradually increase the volume of mutual trade to $1 billion by 2030.

The remarks came from Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Igor Petrishenko at an event in Minsk dedicated to the Azerbaijan Independence Day - May 28, Caliber.Az reports citing the state agency BELTA.

“The two countries agreed to gradually increase mutual trade to $1 billion by 2030, balancing export and import flows. We have decided to significantly expand production cooperation: along with tractors, we will assemble municipal, fire-fighting and other equipment, as well as Belarusian elevators in Azerbaijan,” the deputy prime minister said.

He also said that Belarus and Azerbaijan plan to establish joint production of medicines and veterinary drugs, as well as produce mixed fertilizers from Azerbaijani nitrogen and Belarusian potassium.

The Deputy Prime Minister recalled that during the recent state visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Azerbaijan, the bilateral legal framework was expanded with nine documents, and foreign trade contracts worth tens of millions of US dollars were concluded.

“Belarus is ready to make its concrete contribution to the revival of the Karabakh economic region. One of our main projects will be the creation of an integrated modern agricultural town in the Aghdam region, including the production and processing of agricultural products, as well as housing and social facilities for workers of this agricultural complex and members of their families,” said Petrishenko.

He added that it is also planned to build a multi-brand service centre in Karabakh to service Belarusian equipment.

Moreover, Petrishenko announced that Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov is expected to visit Minsk on June 3.

"In June, we are looking forward to seeing dear Azerbaijani guests in Minsk: Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov to participate in the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council (3-4 June)," the deputy prime minister said.

Besides, he added, Minsk will host the 14th session of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation and the Belarusian-Azerbaijani business forum with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Ahmadov on June 6-7.

Petrishenko expressed confidence that such intensity of high-level visits will be "a significant impetus to the development of bilateral cooperation in all areas of interaction and will contribute to the prompt and fullest implementation of the agreements of the heads of state".

He added that Belarus positively perceives the successes of Azerbaijani diplomacy, the growth of international authority of the country, which has successfully chaired the Non-Aligned Movement for four years, and now has won the right to hold a prestigious event - the global climate summit (COP29) in Baku in November this year.