Belarusian, Armenian Presidents Meet

Belarus President Alyaksandar Lukashenka (left) and his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian (file photo)

YEREVAN -- Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has held talks with his visiting Belarusian counterpart, Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

The two presidents told journalists after their meeting on May 13 that they discussed bilateral relations, including trade and economic issues.

Sarkisian said the talks also focused on cooperation within the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which includes several former Soviet republics.

"Exactly in one month's time, we will mark 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries," Sarkisian said. "We are approaching this date not merely on a decent level of mutual cooperation but with a deep understanding that a positive experience of inter-state relations we have accumulated over these years is our mutual treasure."

Lukashenka expressed his support for the Armenian president, who was reelected to a second term in February.

Lukashenka added that his country is interested in Armenia's experience in producing nuclear power, as Belarus is currently constructing a new atomic power plant.

"[Belarus] is interested in Armenia's knowledge of nuclear energy," Lukashenka said. "You might have heard that Belarus has launched a construction of the first nuclear power plant in its history. There is an enormous interest in an exchange of information about safe operation procedures for nuclear power plants and new approaches in reactor construction."

On May 14, Lukashenka is scheduled to visit a nuclear power station and attend the inauguration of a new Armenia-Belarus trade center.

With reporting by panorama.am