Belarus’ FM meets counterparts from Cuba, UAE, Iran at BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Aleinik held meetings with the foreign ministers of Cuba, the UAE, and Iran on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod on 10 June, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sergei Aleinik met with Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla to state the friendly nature of Belarusian-Cuban relations and emphasize the unacceptability of illegal sanctions and pressure measures. “Sergei Aleinik expressed support for Cuba and reiterated the country's position on the need to exclude this country from the U.S. discriminatory list of states sponsors of terrorism,” the ministry informed. The parties also talked about cooperation projects in the agro-industrial complex, mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals and the 11th meeting of the Belarusian-Cuban joint commission on trade and economic cooperation, which is due to take place in Minsk on 10-12 June.

Special attention was paid to the situation in the Latin American region and interaction in international organizations.

“Bilateral projects, a schedule of prospective contacts, BRICS agenda and the international situation were discussed at a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” the ministry said.

Sergei Aleinik's meeting with Acting Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani focused on the assessment of the progress made in the implementation of bilateral agreements and identifying priority joint measures to expand economic, humanitarian and other areas of cooperation.

“The parties praised an upward trend in mutual trade,” the ministry reported. “The Iranian representative expressed strong support for Belarus' joining BRICS and SCO. The two countries confirmed the unchanged focus on cooperation.”

Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Aleinik also had brief meetings with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira and South African counterpart Naledi Pandor on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.