Don’t Worry That We’ll Be Friends with Anyone Against Armenia: Lukashenko to Pashinyan

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met today, September 30, with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who arrived in Armenia to participate in the meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union's (EAEU) Supreme Economic Council.

Welcoming the President of Belarus, Nikol Pashinyan said, “Dear Alexander Grigoryevich, I am very glad to meet you in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan. Tomorrow, the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council is scheduled. I believe it is a very important meeting because in October, the agreement on free trade between the EAEU and Iran will come into effect, and tomorrow we plan to sign a corresponding agreement with Singapore. This means that the circle of partners in the Eurasian Economic Union is expanding, and I am very pleased that this is happening during Armenia's presidency in the EAEU. I am confident that it will enhance the attractiveness of the EAEU and open new opportunities for business in all EAEU countries.

I am very happy for this meeting because we will be able to discuss some issues related to our relations, which are at a fairly good level. Of course, we always talk about the necessity of not resting on our laurels, but instead to continue developing our relations. Naturally, Belarus is our strategic partner, a very important partner, and we are working very fruitfully. I hope that this cooperation will continue to become more fruitful.”

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, in his remarks, stated, “Dear Nikol Vovai, thank you for this important meeting that precedes tomorrow's session of our economic union's heads of state. I would like to congratulate you on a very effective presidency. I know how interested you have been and how actively you have worked towards the signing of the agreement with Singapore. To be honest, when I was informed that we needed to develop an agreement on the signing of a free trade zone with Singapore, I said, ‘Focus on Nikol Pashinyan, focus on Armenia, because our economies are similar, and I don’t think Armenia will do anything harmful to itself, which would also harm us.’ Therefore, we focused on your developments while also analyzing the situation and providing you with ongoing support, which you cannot deny. We have constantly supported every request of yours, and I must say that this is the first time you have managed in one year not only to move forward but also to develop the corresponding agreement. To be honest, Singapore should first be grateful to Armenia for such an agreement. However, I must emphasize that the agreement benefits all states; otherwise, no one would consider it. That’s why this agreement was formulated at an optimal time.

I am closely following the situation in Armenia in the context of relations with Belarus. I know that Armenians have always had a good attitude towards Belarusians. We are similar peoples, hardworking, and have seen a lot of suffering. You mention, and rightly so, the suffering you endured more than 100 years ago. We talk a lot about what happened 75-80 years ago during fascism and genocide in Belarus, and Armenians also suffered. That’s why history is very similar, people are very similar, and, of course, we are interested in building those relations.

Today, based on our potential, we have a modest amount of trade turnover, as you noted, but it could have been non-existent. Many thought, both here and with us, ‘Well, we won’t cooperate; Yerevan will cooperate with the surrounding countries,’ but we said at that time, ‘No, we need to gradually build relations.’ And today, after you became Prime Minister, I looked at the data – we have a 140% increase in trade turnover. It’s a great pace. We found avenues, especially after entering the EAEU, and I assure you that this will continue. We will support you and your business in Belarus; if you are interested in our enterprises, we will come to Armenia to establish joint ventures.

I say this, Nikol Vovai, so that you do not think that our policy towards Armenia has changed. You know, even if you refuse to cooperate with us, as an example, we will still insist that we remain very close, friendly states, and you should always know that we are always ready to stand behind Armenia.

It so happens that you are my good friend, and the President of Azerbaijan has been a good friend for a long time. And what can I do? I treat both Armenia and Azerbaijan and their leadership well, since the time when Heydar Aliyev was still the President there, we began to work with him. We also have good relations with you. Please, don’t worry that we will be friends with anyone against Armenia. Absolutely not. Come to Belarus, show us what you need, and we are ready to work for the benefit of Armenia. Believe me, that is the nature of our relations.

I have touched upon a non-diplomatic topic; perhaps it shouldn’t have been broached, but I don’t want there to be any unspoken or unresolved issues between us. We are obliged to express the expectations of Armenians and Belarusians; we need to cultivate friendship because our peoples are friends. We are the leaders of states that must fulfill the will of the people. I am guided by this principle. This is not merely a conversation; you must believe in my sincerity and know that we will always treat you well - like relatives, like brothers.

Your country’s president came and met with the Armenian diaspora in Belarus; he asked them a question: ‘What objections do you have against the government?’ No Armenian stood up and said anything, and these are our Armenians, the Armenians of Belarus, they said, ‘We have no issues with either the president or the government.’ It will always be like that.”

Thanking Alexander Lukashenko, Nikol Pashinyan noted, “Thank you, Alexander Grigoryevich, for your warm words. You spoke about the agreement with Singapore. I want to emphasize that this is indeed honest; this is the result of teamwork, as all member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union and all governments, as well as the Eurasian Economic Commission, worked very intensively on the document, not only Armenia and the Armenian government. I would also like to thank for the cooperation. As for straightforwardness, we agreed on that a long time ago; I greatly appreciate it; it’s a very open style, and that’s how we always communicate. I believe it is very important so that there are no dark corners in our relations and we always discuss all issues openly. You know that we have quite complex relations with Azerbaijan, frankly speaking, conflictual relations. We have also addressed this issue within the CSTO frameworks. Of course, each state must take into account its own interests, but I want to emphasize that, as we have discussed, we also have collective interests, and I am very glad that we can work together and address all nuances to reach a unified opinion. Certainly, not all issues are easy, and generally, dealing with the work we do is not easy. I am confident that we have enough wisdom, enough courage, and enough will to resolve all questions in a way that develops the friendship and brotherhood of our countries and peoples and makes them warmer.

I am confident in that.”