[caption id="attachment_151684" align="alignright" width="250"] Iran's FM Zarif meets Belarus Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov in Minsk[/caption]
Moscow, Feb 17, IRNA – Belarus Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov in a meeting with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underlined expansion of cooperation between the two countries, Belarus state news agency, Belta, said on Tuesday.

The premier called Iran as the Belarus important and old trade partner and said that cooperation between the two countries have a bright horizon.


He added that constructive cooperation with Iran is among priorities of Belarus foreign policy.

Kobyakov said that considering outcome of Iran-Belarus good cooperation in the fields of investment, science and technology, education and culture, the level of trade fell short to keep up with the excellent ties and is around 100 million dollars.

He added that the governments which imposed sanctions on Iran and Belarus intend to weaken economy of the two countries and create distance between the two states.

The premier expressed his country readiness to take necessary steps toward expansion of economic cooperation with Iran.

He termed Iran's efforts to develop ties with Belarus as 'Excellent' and said that his country will provide the maximum suitable situation for Iranian investors in industrial and economic projects.

Kobyakov also expressed readiness to increase export of industrial, petrochemical and agricultural products to Iran.

Zarif said for his part that the Islamic Republic of Iran is willing to expand cooperation with Minsk in different fields.

Foreign Minister Zarif, is currently on a visit to Minsk for two days.

On Tuesday laid a wreath on Victory Memorial statue to pay his respect to Belarusian nation.

He also met with President Alexander Lukashenko and counterpart Vladimir Makei.

President Lukashenko in his meeting with Zarif declared that he will visit Iran soon.

He added that in his visit to Iran, he will try to develop economic cooperation with Iran.

President Lukashenko said that political relations between the two countries are in a high level, but, the economic ties are lagging behind.

Meanwhile, in the meeting with Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei, Zarif discussed a wide range of issues on ways to develop economic cooperation.

IRNA learned that Zarif is scheduled to participate in opening ceremony of Iran's new Embassy building in Minsk.

By IRNA