signs a new friendship agreement with Belarus and Lukashenko

The Belarusian president arrived in the North Korean capital on Wednesday and was received by the supreme leader, the roar of a 21-gun salute, a parade of the Honor Guard of the Asian Army and dozens of schoolchildren waving flags of both countries.

In a statement, Lukashenko stressed that the agreement “explains in a precise and open way the objectives and principles of our interaction, defines the institutional frameworks of future mutually beneficial processes.”

During the meeting, the Belarusian president predicted “a great future” for North Koreathanks to its “industrious and disciplined people.” “You know how to do everything. And you do it like no one else in the world. And what I say is not a sign of respect in the framework of our negotiations. This really comes from my observations,” he said.

Lukashenko also celebrated that, “despite the geographical distance, the people of Belarus and Korea share common interests of patriotismpreservation of historical memory and deep respect for older generations”.

“The friendly relations of our States, forged even in the times of the Soviet Union, were never interrupted. Now they enter a totally new stage“he said, highlighting that the economies of both countries complement each other and “we need each other.”

In turn, the North Korean leader expressed to the Belarusian president his “solidarity and total support” for his Minsk. Furthermore, he condemned “illegal pressures against Belarus by the West”. “We express our support and identification with the measures taken by the Government of Belarus aimed at guaranteeing political and social stability, economic development,” Kim defended.

Bilateral agreements

The supreme leader received Lukashenko the day before in Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang. The Belarusian president, during his visit to the Kumsusan mausoleum, where the former North Korean leaders are buried, deposited a bouquet of flowers sent by Putin and another with his name.

In addition to the treaty of friendship and cooperation, Pyongyang and Seoul plan to sign ten other bilateral agreements. Lukashenko will remain in the Asian country for two days during his official visit, according to the press service of the Belarusian Presidency.

The statement emphasizes that during the planned meeting between Lukashenko and Kim “the entire spectrum” of bilateral relations will be addressed and the areas of greatest interest for carrying out joint projects.

Lukashenko, in power since 1994, congratulated the North Korean leader on Monday for his re-election as chairman of the State Affairs Committee, the country’s highest position. The so-called hermit kingdom has reactivated cooperation at all levels with Russia and Belarus in recent years, coinciding with the war in Ukraine. Kim has also used the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East to insist on the need to continue developing the nuclear program.