Joint Statement on the official visit of Mr. Mikhail Khvostov,Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus,to the Republic of India

At the invitation of the Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India Mr. Yashwant Sinha, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Mr. Mikhail Khvostov paid an official visit to the Republic of India on 1-2 August 2002.

During the visit, Mr. Khvostov called on President of the Republic of India Dr. Abdul Kalam and handed over a personal message from President of the Republic of Belarus Mr. Alexander Lukashenko. He also called on Prime Minister Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, Minister of Defense Mr. George Fernandes, and Minister of Human Resources Development, Science and Technology Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi. Mr.Khvostov also had a meeting at the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry where he briefed Indian businessmen on opportunities for expansion of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of India, in the atmosphere of friendship and understanding, held extensive talks during which they covered the entire gamut of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The Sides noted that this year marks the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Belarus and expressed their satisfaction over the progressive growth of Belarus-Indian relationship in many spheres.

The Sides recognize their significant role in international politics and key contribution in ensuring stability. They consider each other as friendly States and respect each other’s chosen path of development resulting in the strengthening of their independence and state sovereignty.

The Sides attach significance to the holding of meetings at the highest level and development of cooperation between the State bodies of the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of India. In this connection, the Sides agreed to explore the possibility of exchanging high-level political visits in future.

The Sides noted the high level of interaction and cooperation between Belarus and India at the United Nations, the Non Alignment Movement and other multilateral fora and expressed their intention to further support each other’s initiatives in international organizations.

The Sides underlined the importance to expand the United Nations Security Council in order to make it more representative and to increase its effectiveness. The Republic of Belarus reiterated its support for India’s candidature for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.

The Republic of India expressed its support for the aspiration of the Republic of Belarus to become a full-fledged member of the World Trade Organization.

The Sides noted the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation and called for the intensification of interaction within the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The Sides, after taking into account the untapped potential for bilateral cooperation, considered the ways for deepening mutually beneficial interaction in areas of common interest. The Sides reiterated the need to expand trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation.

In this context, the Sides stressed the importance of the Belarus-India Inter-Governmental Commission on Cooperation in the Fields of Economy, Trade, Industry, Technology and Culture and the Belarus-India Commission for Science and Technical Cooperation as effective mechanisms of state support for the development of bilateral ties.

The Sides discussed the possibility of bilateral investments and took note of the need to utilize the potential of such cooperation. The Sides also noted that the business and scientific circles of both countries should enhance direct contacts for the implementation of industrial, scientific and technical projects. The Sides underlined their mutual aspiration for strengthening the contacts in the fields of culture, education and training.

The Sides expressed satisfaction that the draft text of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Republic of India on Bilateral Promotion and Protection of Investments has been finalized during the current visit. The Sides agreed to sign this Agreement during a high-level bilateral visit.

The Sides, stressing the importance of creating a full legal base of bilateral relations, also agreed to make additional efforts to finalize the texts of other bilateral agreements, currently under consideration, to prepare them for signature as soon as possible.

The Sides reaffirmed the need for universal adherence to the principles of international law and the provisions of the UN Charter in conduct of international relations. They also stressed the need to strengthen the central and coordinating role of the UN in the fight against international terrorism, cross-border criminal activity, illegal drug trafficking and in resolving other pressing problems of the modern world. The Sides consider that the challenges of the 21st century can effectively be met only through collective efforts of the international community in conformity with the norms of international law while taking into account the national specifics and lifestyles of each nation.

The Sides noted that the formation of a multi-polar world meets the demands of today, the interest of the majority of members of international community and contributes to maintenance of global peace and stability.

The Sides condemned the growth of terrorism and extremism, which threatens international peace and security. They reiterated that terrorism cannot be justified on any grounds, whether political, ethnic, religious, or any other.

The Sides agreed that every State has the duty to refrain from organizing, instigating, assisting or participating in terrorist acts or acquiescing in organized activities within its territory directed towards the commission of such acts, and further stressed that all States must refrain from providing any form of support, active or passive, to entities or persons involved in terrorist acts.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs agreed to continue personal contacts and the practice of holding regular consultations on issues of bilateral interest between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Mr. Mikhail Khvostov extended an invitation to the Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India Mr. Yashwant Sinha to pay an official visit to the Republic of Belarus. The invitation was accepted with pleasure. The dates for the visit will be finalized through diplomatic channels.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus expressed sincere gratitude to the Government of the Republic of India for the hospitality and the excellent organization of the visit to India by the Belarusian delegation.