OREANDA-NEWS. November 25, 2013. Belarus supports the Turkish initiative to update the agreement on mutual assistance and mutual protection of investments.

The statement was made by Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich as he met with Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Cemil Cicek.

It has been nearly 20 years since the agreement was signed. “I think it is necessary to update this basic document of economic cooperation,” said Mikhail Myasnikovich. Over the last five years the volume of Turkish investments in Belarus has risen by nearly 11 times. In January-September 2013 direct Turkish investments totaled USD37.5 million. “I think the figure could have been higher. On our part we are going to enable the best conditions for Turkish investors. You know how to work with investments,” noted the Prime Minister of Belarus.

Mikhail Myasnikovich underlined that Belarus is pleased with the work of Turkish construction companies. He believes that the presence of Turkish construction companies on the Belarusian market can be expanded.

The Prime Minister delivered the greeting to the Turkish parliament delegation on behalf of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, who is on an official visit in Azerbaijan now. The Belarusian head of state asked to convey his best wishes to the Turkey president. The invitation to visit Belarus is confirmed once again, added Mikhail Myasnikovich.

In turn, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Cemil Cicek confirmed that Turkey has had and still has the political will for advancing bilateral relations with Belarus. “Relations between our countries show positive dynamics, however, the dynamics does not reflect the available potential,” said Cemil Cicek. He reminded that a protocol on cooperation between the parliaments of Belarus and Turkey had been signed in Minsk the day before. The document will foster stronger interparliamentary contacts and hence the development of bilateral relations as a whole.