Iran, Belarus sign MoU to boost defense cooperation
The defense chiefs of Iran and Belarus signed a memorandum of understanding to improve cooperation in the defense sector.
The MoU was signed by Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani and his Belarusian counterpart Viktor Khrenin following a meeting in Tehran on Monday, Press TV reported.
Pointing to the two countries’ common stance on many regional and international issues, Ashtiani said Belarus has a special place in Iran’s foreign policy.
He added that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s talks with senior Iranian officials in Tehran in March, and his meeting with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei indicate the significance of Minsk in Iran’s foreign policy.
During Lukashenko’s state visit to Tehran, Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi and his Belarusian counterpart signed eight agreements on various fields, including trade, transportation, agriculture and mining, under a cooperation roadmap which marked 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two counties.
Referring to the defense cooperation between Tehran and Minsk, Ashtiani said, “Making use of the two countries’ capabilities and capacities and defense synergies will establish peace, stability and security in the region.”
He reaffirmed the determination of the two countries’ top officials to improve the level of bilateral cooperation in various areas as a strategic principle to overcome the West’s sanctions policy against independent states, including Iran and Belarus.