Belarus and Armenia must fully leverage the economic component of their relations

May 18, Minsk / Tatyana Polezhay - BELTA /. Belarus and Armenia should fully leverage the economic component of their relations. This was stated today during the meeting between President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan in Minsk, BELTA correspondent reports. Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the level of trade turnover between the two countries, which has increased more than 16 times over the past 10 years, from $2.9 million in 2001 to $47.2 million in 2010. According to him, there has been a slight decline in bilateral trade this year, but the head of the Belarusian state is confident that the countries will be able to overcome it and increase exports in the near future. According to the President, this trend is observed from the Belarusian side. Thus, from 2001 to 2010, Belarusian exports grew 35 times. "I think this will also affect Yerevan, as the necessary conditions are in place for this," said the head of the Belarusian state. The President noted that the increase in trade volumes has occurred mainly in recent years, and before that, there was practically none. "I remember the times when we were thinking not about increasing, but about establishing some trade relations, thinking about some schemes. And then we decided that we need to create normal conditions in Armenia and Belarus, and entrepreneurs and businessmen will find these ways themselves," said Alexander Lukashenko. The head of the Belarusian state expressed his conviction that the current visit of the Prime Minister of Armenia will give a serious impetus to the development of relations between the states. Alexander Lukashenko conveyed warm and good wishes to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. "It is only thanks to his willingness to cooperate and his responsiveness to all proposals from the Belarusian side that we have been able to establish relations in this way. And most importantly, in a tenfold ratio," said the Belarusian leader. He also added: "Any policy, any talks without an economic foundation are meaningless." The President also wished them to successfully overcome the period before the elections. "I want to wish you to successfully overcome this period, so that the positive dynamics and trends that exist in the economy and society are preserved, so that the Armenian people always have a decent life," noted Alexander Lukashenko. "I wish you to move at the same pace towards the prosperity of your state." In turn, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, on behalf of his country's president, conveyed warm wishes to the Belarusian people and Alexander Lukashenko for their special attitude and personal contribution to cooperation between the countries. He also expressed confidence that the high political dialogue that has been established between the countries implies that the economic component should also be fully leveraged. Tigran Sargsyan spoke about his meeting with his counterpart Mikhail Myasnikovich, during which the agenda of Belarusian-Armenian relations was discussed in detail. -0-