TEHRAN – Iran's Ambassador to Belarus, Alireza Saane’i, has expressed optimism about the future of relations between the two countries, highlighting the shared challenges presented by international sanctions and the opportunities for deeper cooperation. 

In an exclusive interview with the Daneshjoo News Agency, Saane’i underscored the common ground forged by the sanctions imposed on both nations. "The sanctions imposed on Belarus and Iran have created a common ground between the two countries and provided opportunities for further cooperation," he said. "Both countries face similar challenges due to international sanctions, leading them to seek common solutions to counter these sanctions."

Saane’i pointed to the significant progress already made in various sectors, including agriculture, medicine, and machinery. "Iran has made good purchases from Belarus, and numerous agreements have been signed in the fields of medicine, medical equipment, mining machinery, and agriculture," he stated. "These agreements demonstrate that the sanctions have not only been an obstacle to the development of relations but have also strengthened cooperation and created new opportunities for both countries."

Iran's extensive experience in navigating sanctions has also been shared with Belarus. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has extensive experience in dealing with sanctions and has transferred these experiences to Belarus," explained Saane’i. "From the beginning, the Belarusian parties were willing to benefit from our experiences. However, this cooperation requires a systematic framework, and various institutions and organizations need to plan for the practical transfer of these experiences to Belarus. Iranian companies are currently collaborating with Belarusian companies, and these experiences are practically being transferred to them." 

Saane’i emphasized the strategic nature of this partnership. "Consequently, it can be said that Iran acts as a strategic partner for Belarus and shares its experiences with them," he stated.

The ambassador also highlighted the role of international organizations in enhancing cooperation. "Iran and Belarus' membership in organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union has expanded the areas of cooperation," he said. "These memberships have enabled both countries to have more cooperation within the framework of these organizations and benefit from their facilities." 

Saane’i expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming visit of Iran's newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian to Belarus, a visit he believes will mark a new era in bilateral relations. "The President of Belarus has invited the President-elect of Iran to visit Belarus," he revealed. "This visit could create a new chapter in the relations between the two countries and be a catalyst for a leap in relations. We hope that this visit will take place in the second half of this year and yield positive results. This visit could be the first foreign visit of the fourteenth government and an appropriate response to Mr. Lukashenko's visit to Tehran in February 2023."

The diplomat highlighted the efforts made to prepare for this visit, stating, "We have employed all our efforts and coordination to prepare for this visit, and we hope it will take place soon."

Looking forward, Saane’i emphasized the need for robust infrastructure to support further economic cooperation. "The development of economic cooperation between Iran and Belarus requires banking, customs, logistics, and transit infrastructures," he explained. "In recent years, significant efforts have been made to provide these infrastructures, and we hope that these efforts will lead to positive results. With the provision of these foundations and infrastructures, relations and cooperation between the two countries will witness considerable growth in the near future."