Belarus keen to expand ties with Iran

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in a meeting with Tehran's Envoy to Minsk Mohammad Reza Sabouri voiced his country's readiness to expand bilateral ties with Iran.During the meeting in Minsk on Tuesday, the Belarusian president pointed to friendly and close relations between Iran and Belarus, and said, "Cooperation between Tehran and Minsk has a peaceful nature and does not aim to harm any third country."President Lukashenko underlined the need for bolstering and reinvigorating mutual cooperation between Iran and Belarus.In December, the Iranian ambassador to Belarus voiced Iran's willingness to further boost its ties and cooperation with Belarus in different fields.Addressing a group of businessmen, Sabouri expressed Tehran's determination to broaden economic cooperation with Belarus.He said grounds are well-prepared for the expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries and the role of the two sides' private sectors in this regard is important.To attain the goals, the Iranian businessmen and entrepreneurs should have a precise and transparent plan to secure their investments in the future, the diplomat added."Iran calls for expansion of all-out economic relations with Belarus," he underlined.Sabouri further proposed formation of a business union, comprising the Iranian nationals residing in Belarus.Iran and Belarus have recently widened their areas of economic cooperation. The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on road transportation cooperation in March 2012.The two countries also announced in March that they plan to establish a join trading company to help expand their bilateral ties and exchanges.