13 November 2018•Update: 13 November 2018
By Ali Cura
MINSK, Belarus
Turkey’s parliament speaker met the president of Belarus during his official visit to Minsk on Tuesday, diplomatic sources said.
Binali Yildirim and Alexander Lukashenko met at the Freedom Palace to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues, said the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
They also exchanged views on their countries' efforts to reach $1 billion of trade volume in the near future.
Yildirim also underlined that it is important to strengthen economic, cultural and technological ties.
Yildirim also met Mikhail Myasnikovich, chairman of the Council of the Belurusian National Assembly; and Vladimir Andreychenko, speaker of the House of Representatives.
They inked a joint declaration on cooperation between the parliaments.
During the meeting Yildirim recalled that Turkey hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian migrants.
“Turkey pays a huge price because of instability and civil war in Syria. That’s why we make great efforts with Russia to find a lasting politicial solution in Syria,” Yildirim said.
Yildirim praised relations between the two countries, saying: “Relations are progressing very well between us. We have similar approaches on regional and global issues. Belarus is one of the countries that understands us best on the fight against terrorism.”
He added that Turkey will soon open a Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) in Belarus to promote Turkish culture and language.
Turkey was the first country to recognize the independence of Belarus and diplomatic relations were established in 1992.
