Belarus–Iran relations
Encyclopedia
Belarus-Iran relations are foreign relations between Belarus
and Iran
. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. Belarus has an embassy in Tehran
. Iran has an embassy in Minsk
. The two countries have enjoyed good relations in recent years reflected in regular high level meetings and various agreements. In 2008, Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov
described Iran as an important partner of his country in the region and the world.
In April 2006, the two countries signed a number of economic and trade agreements.
In November 2006, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko
visited Tehran and signed agreements to expand bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed Belarus' support of Iran's nuclear efforts.
President Lukashenko said that Belarus and Iran have removed all the impediments to the bilateral trade. President Ahmadinejad said "from now on Belarusian-Iranian relations will develop to ensure stability and security in the world."
In 2008, Iranian investments in Belarus amounted to $13.1 million, including $9.9 million in direct investments. In 2010, Iran inaugurated a large copper wire factory and the second phase of Samand
car assembly line in Beluarus.
Belarus and Iran claim that they can raise the mutual trade turnover up to $1 billion, said Iranian Commerce Minister
Masoud Mir-Kazemi as he met with Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky. Currently the two countries' trade value stands at $3.250 billion.
In January 2007, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding for defence. Defence cooperation was discussed in the meeting between the two presidents in May that year.
In 2009, it was reported that Belarus was selling Russian-made Iskander-M tactical missile systems to Iran
border and could produce up to 30,000 barrels a day once operational. Lukashenko said the crude from Jofeir would either be refined in Iran or simply extracted by Belarus and sold on world markets. It would be the first energy project abroad for Belarus.
He also said "Iran is ready to help Belarus diversify its energy supplies"
In May 2009, Belarus Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko met Vice Governor of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran Reza Raei. Following this meeting, the Central Bank of Iran announced it will lend $212m to Belarus' state-run firm Belarusneft for the development of the Jofeir oil field
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
and Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. Belarus has an embassy in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
. Iran has an embassy in Minsk
Minsk
- Ecological situation :The ecological situation is monitored by Republican Center of Radioactive and Environmental Control .During 2003–2008 the overall weight of contaminants increased from 186,000 to 247,400 tons. The change of gas as industrial fuel to mazut for financial reasons has worsened...
. The two countries have enjoyed good relations in recent years reflected in regular high level meetings and various agreements. In 2008, Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov
Sergei Martynov (politician)
Sergei Nikolaevich Martynov is the current Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belarus appointed in March 2003. He was born on February 22, 1953 in Gyumri, Armenian SSR....
described Iran as an important partner of his country in the region and the world.
Agreements
In July 2004, an Iran-Belarus joint economic commission meeting was held and an agreement was signed on bolstering mutual economic cooperation.In April 2006, the two countries signed a number of economic and trade agreements.
In November 2006, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko
Alexander Lukashenko
Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko has been serving as the President of Belarus since 20 July 1994. Before his career as a politician, Lukashenko worked as director of a state-owned agricultural farm. Under Lukashenko's rule, Belarus has come to be viewed as a state whose conduct is out of line...
visited Tehran and signed agreements to expand bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed Belarus' support of Iran's nuclear efforts.
2007 meeting
In May 2007, the two countries signed cooperation accords, following a meeting of Belarusian President Lukashenko and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. They signed a joint communique on the results of the visit to Belarus by the President AhmadinejadPresident Lukashenko said that Belarus and Iran have removed all the impediments to the bilateral trade. President Ahmadinejad said "from now on Belarusian-Iranian relations will develop to ensure stability and security in the world."
Trade
In 2008, Belarus-Iran trade made $93.8 million (23.6% up), with Belarus’ export as high as $83.7 million (25.8% up), import — $10.2 million (8.3% up). The foreign trade surplus totaled $73.5 million. Belarus’ main exports are potash fertilizers, synthetic fibers, synthetic fiber cords, while the main imports are cars, grape, spare parts for automobiles and tractors.In 2008, Iranian investments in Belarus amounted to $13.1 million, including $9.9 million in direct investments. In 2010, Iran inaugurated a large copper wire factory and the second phase of Samand
Samand
Samand is an Iranian car brand manufactured by Iran Khodro using local manufacturers for its parts.In Persian, Samand is the name for a breed of fast horse. Samand trade name is now registered at the World Intellectual Property Organization. Its selling price starts at $14,500 in Turkey.The Samand...
car assembly line in Beluarus.
Belarus and Iran claim that they can raise the mutual trade turnover up to $1 billion, said Iranian Commerce Minister
Ministry of Commerce (Iran)
The Ministry of Commerce of Iran was the main organ of the Government in charge of the regulation and implementation of policies applicable to domestic and foreign trade...
Masoud Mir-Kazemi as he met with Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky. Currently the two countries' trade value stands at $3.250 billion.
Military cooperation
It has been reported that Belarus has exported tanks, armored personnel carriers, and heavy artillery to Iran.In January 2007, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding for defence. Defence cooperation was discussed in the meeting between the two presidents in May that year.
In 2009, it was reported that Belarus was selling Russian-made Iskander-M tactical missile systems to Iran
Energy
In May 2007, Iran granted Belarus greater access to oil reserves following a meeting of the two presidents. what Belarusian President Lukashenko called a "strategic partnership." Iran gave Belarus long-discussed access to the Jofeir oil field, which is near the IraqIraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
border and could produce up to 30,000 barrels a day once operational. Lukashenko said the crude from Jofeir would either be refined in Iran or simply extracted by Belarus and sold on world markets. It would be the first energy project abroad for Belarus.
He also said "Iran is ready to help Belarus diversify its energy supplies"
In May 2009, Belarus Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko met Vice Governor of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran Reza Raei. Following this meeting, the Central Bank of Iran announced it will lend $212m to Belarus' state-run firm Belarusneft for the development of the Jofeir oil field