Belarus and Iran Open New Horizons for Cooperation

A Belarusian delegation led by Dmitry Pantus, Minister of the State Authority for Military Industry (SAMI) paid a working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran in early October.

The rich business programme of the visit, which was part of the 11th meeting of the Belarusian-Iranian Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation, included a series of talks and visits to several Iranian military-industrial complex enterprises. Talks were held between the co-chairmen of the Commission – the head of the Belarusian arms department, Dmitry Pantus, and the Deputy Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Support of the Islamic Republic of Iran (for logistics), Brigadier General Masoud Oraei. During the meeting, they discussed topical issues of cooperation in the military-technical sphere and promising areas for joint work. The positive dynamics of the implementation of existing agreements were emphasised. The meeting confirmed the mutual desire to develop a long-term and mutually beneficial partnership.

One of the central events of the visit was a plenary meeting of the joint Belarusian-Iranian Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation. The event took place in a constructive and business-friendly atmosphere, with a review of the work done over the past period and the identification of specific ways to further develop bilateral relations. Mutual interest was confirmed in deepening cooperation in the context of import substitution and strengthening the technological sovereignty of the two countries.

The final protocol of the joint commission’s work has been signed, which not only summarises the results of two days of intensive negotiations but also clearly sets out the specific agreements reached during the plenary session and working meetings, and defines new guidelines for cooperation. There is no doubt that the protocol will serve as a solid foundation for the further development of Belarusian-Iranian cooperation in the military-technical sphere in the long term.

The visit concluded with talks between SAMI Minister Dmitry Pantus and Major General Aziz Nasirzadeh, Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Support of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The parties analysed in detail the state and prospects of bilateral cooperation in the military-technical and military spheres and noted their mutual readiness to further strengthen their partnership. During the talks, it was emphasised that the development of relations between Minsk and Tehran is in the interests of both countries and contributes to strengthening regional and international security.

The visit clearly demonstrated the practical focus of the Belarusian-Iranian dialogue and opened up additional opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.