Baku, June 4, 2026 – The Europe Today: A delegation led by Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov visited Belarus to participate in the 16th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Belarus Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral ties across multiple sectors.
As part of the visit, the Azerbaijani delegation paid tribute at the Victory Monument in Minsk and visited the Azerbaijan Trade House operating in the city, as well as the “Pershi Regional Trade Center,” which showcases Belarusian products.
During his visit to the Azerbaijan Trade House, Sharifov reviewed products under the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand and emphasized the platform’s important role in promoting Azerbaijani goods in the Belarusian market, expanding export opportunities, and strengthening business linkages. He also highlighted the importance of exchanging experience in local production promotion and trade infrastructure development after visiting Belarusian product displays at the “Pershi” center.
Welcoming the delegation at the Council of Ministers, Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin described industrial cooperation and joint projects as key drivers of Azerbaijan-Belarus economic relations. He emphasized prospects for expanding collaboration in mechanical engineering, specialized and municipal equipment, and joint manufacturing ventures.
The 16th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov and Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Natalia Petkevich, who said that bilateral relations are based on long-standing friendship and mutual trust, with industrial cooperation, joint ventures, and agricultural development identified as priority areas.
In his remarks, Sharifov said Azerbaijan-Belarus relations continue to develop successfully on the basis of mutual trust and high-level political dialogue between President Ilham Aliyev and President Alexander Lukashenko, noting that bilateral trade has maintained positive momentum despite global economic challenges. He also highlighted the role of the Azerbaijan Trade House in strengthening trade relations.
Both sides underscored industrial cooperation as a particularly promising area, including ongoing collaboration at the Ganja Automobile Plant with Belarusian partners in the production of tractors, trucks, and specialized equipment. They also discussed joint projects in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories, including the agro-town initiative in Gizil Kangarli village of Aghdam district, implemented with Belarusian participation.
Transport and logistics cooperation was also highlighted, with officials noting a more than 63 percent increase in transit transportation volumes between January and April 2026.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides signed several documents, including the final protocol of the 16th session of the Intergovernmental Commission, a memorandum of understanding between the state statistical bodies of Azerbaijan and Belarus, a cooperation program on physical education and sports for 2026–2030, a healthcare cooperation roadmap for 2026–2027, and an agreement on the assembly of fire-fighting equipment between the Ganja Automobile Plant and “POJSNAB.”
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepen strategic partnership, expand economic cooperation, and strengthen collaboration in mutually beneficial sectors. The next, 17th meeting of the commission is scheduled to be held in Baku in 2027.
Following the session, an Azerbaijan-Belarus business forum was also held with the participation of government officials and business representatives from both countries.
