MINSK (Realist English). Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on August 20 at the Palace of Independence in Minsk.
The official ceremony began in the palace courtyard with an honor guard and the national anthems of both countries, followed by a joint photo session in the Hall of Ceremonies. Talks then continued in a restricted format.
Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus and Iran actively cooperate within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS, and other international bodies. He underlined Minsk’s support for Iran’s deeper integration into the trade and economic processes of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
According to Lukashenko, the entry into force of the EAEU–Iran free trade agreement opens new markets and lays the groundwork for a long-term strategic partnership.
“Iran is urging us to more actively use the transport route through Russia and Iran—Russia, Armenia, Iran, and on to the Persian Gulf. They insist on it! But in fact, this is what we ourselves need most of all,” Lukashenko said.
