Photo: president.gov.by

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has arrived in Serbia on an official visit, BelTA reported.

An escort of three MiG-29 fighter jets was initially supposed to accompany the Belarusian aircraft in Serbia’s airspace. Not everyone but only the most desired guests are shown such a token of respect. For instance, President of Russia Vladimir Putin was welcomed in this manner in Belgrade in early 2019.

However, due to bad weather conditions the escort was reduced to one fighter jet only. It followed 5km astern of the Belarusian aircraft: the military jet could not fly closer due to security concerns.

Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic came to the airport to welcome the Belarusian head of state despite rain. Aleksandar Vucic welcomed his Belarusian counterpart near the aircraft’s ramp. After that the heads of state went to a memorial complex in honor of Belgrade’s liberators. The memorial was opened in October 1954 ahead of the tenth anniversary of the city’s liberation. Remains of over 1,300 regular army soldiers and partisans of the People’s Liberation Army of Yugoslavia and 711 Red Army soldiers, who died during the Belgrade offensive in 1944, are buried there. Belarusians are among them. Nearly 3,000 Yugoslavian soldiers and about 1,000 Soviet ones died fighting to liberate the city.

The Belarus president laid a wreath at the monument and signed the distinguished visitors’ book.

An official meeting of the two leaders will take place in the Palace of Serbia on December 3. The presidents are going to discuss the advancement of the political dialogue and interaction in economic affairs. Close attention will be paid to prospects of increasing the trade turnover, initiatives to set up joint ventures and launch mutually beneficial projects. The heads of state will also discuss regional and international agendas, cooperation on international platforms.

While in Serbia Aleksandr Lukashenko is also expected to meet with President of the National Assembly of Serbia Maja Gojkovic and members of the parliament.

These days Belgrade is hosting Belarusian-Serbian business forum, which is expected to result in a number of commercial contracts and agreements worth approximately $100 million. With some more details on our economic cooperation - Ambassador of Belarus to Serbia Valery Brylioŭ:

There's an assembly plant for Belarusian buses in Serbia which produces MAZ vehicles. There's a special program and Serbian cities, including Belgrade, are buying them, from several dozen to hundreds. The plant itself is based in Kragujevac, and it offers a range of various models. We used to sell more trolley-buses earlier. There's some progress concerning trade in foods, for instance, Belarus is exporting potato to Serbia. Recently, we have launched the sales of metals and metal ware, and Belarusian Steel Works BMZ is very actively promoting this cooperation.