Press Release

EAM’s visit to Minsk

17/09/2009

On the invitation of H.E. Mr. Sergei Martynov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, External Affairs Minister of India, Mr. S.M. Krishna visited Minsk on September 16-17, 2009. EAM’s visit was in conformity with the tradition of high level contacts between India and Belarus. Both the sides were of the view that the visit would further strengthen and diversify the existing warm and cordial relations between the two friendly countries to mutual advantage.

During the visit, EAM had meetings with his host Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and discussed matters of mutual interest in bilateral relations and exchanged views on international and regional matters of interest and concern. He also called on H.E. Mr. Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus on September 17. He laid a wreath at the Victory Square Monument, in memory of unknown soldiers, in Minsk on September 16.

With a view to further broadening the legal framework of cooperation between India and Belarus, two documents were signed in the presence of the two Ministers - (1) Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Physical Training and Sports was signed by H.E. Mr. Vladimir V. Aleshkevich, First Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sport of Belarus and Mr. Ramesh Chander, Ambassador of India to Belarus, and (2) MoU on Establishing Digital Learning Center at High Technology Park in Minsk was signed by Dr. Valery Tsepkalo, Director of Administration of the High Technology Park and Mr. Ramesh Chander, Ambassador of India to Belarus.

Bilateral relations between India and Belarus are traditionally cordial and friendly. Economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries is good and is on the upswing with a trade turnover of US$ 432 million in the year 2008, which is set to touch US$ 500 million in 2009. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been awarded the contract for ‘Reconstruction of the Grodno-II Power Project”. The contract for the Project was signed by the senior executives of BHEL and Grodnoenergo Rue in the presence of EAM and the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs on September 17, 2009. India has offered a Line of Credit of US$ 50 million to the Republic of Belarus for the said power project.

Minsk
September 17, 2009