Lukashenko's official visit to Equatorial Guinea has concluded

The official visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Equatorial Guinea has concluded, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.

The head of the Belarusian state arrived in Equatorial Guinea on December 9. Official talks with President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo were held in the capital city of Malabo, located on the island part of the country, on the evening of the same day.

Their main outcome is the signing of a roadmap for the development of cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea by the presidents.

The roadmap was developed taking into account the needs of the Equatorial Guinean side and is comprehensive in nature. The document covers 15 key areas of interaction, including cooperation projects, supply and maintenance of Belarusian equipment, agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, and forestry. The roadmap is designed for 2024-2026.

A package of documents aimed at developing cooperation in various fields was also signed in the presence of the heads of state.

"Following the visit and negotiations, we have, without exaggeration, launched a new stage in the relations between Belarus and Equatorial Guinea. In just one year, work has been done that takes many countries decades. This fact clearly indicates mutual interest and a desire to elevate our partnership to a qualitatively new level," stated the Belarusian leader.

The President noted that the documents signed by the parties are general in nature, but in developing these documents, agreements have already been reached on 74 specific projects. "This is an achievement accomplished by the members of the governments of Equatorial Guinea and Belarus, our specialists. 74 specific projects that we must implement in the next 2-3 years. Tomorrow, we start digging the ground in Guinea and solving problems," said Alexander Lukashenko.

He emphasized that Belarus possesses sufficient technologies in various fields that Equatorial Guinea can leverage to advance by one or even two steps. "We have certainly not come to your country to engage in charity. We do not have such an opportunity, nor is it necessary. But we are not going to profit at the expense of your people, your country. We are not colonizers. We are your friends. By transferring technologies to you in many areas where you have needs, we will train your people in these technologies," assured the head of state.

In turn, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo stated that the country, having gained political independence, is now fighting for economic independence. And the approach to developing cooperation from Belarus compares favorably with that of former colonizers in Africa.

"There are countries that do not want development for Africa. Countries that bring instability, that invent all sorts of changes to exploit our resources," said the leader of Equatorial Guinea. "But Africans are waking up. We already see that we have been deceived. We are disappointed. And where we had hope, we will not be able to get anything from our former colonizers."

In this regard, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is confident that it is necessary to change the spheres of interaction in this new process, and among other things, to work seriously with the Belarusian side. "This is a disciplined people. This is a people who fulfill what they promise," the President emphasized.

He announced his determination to give impetus to the creation of an alliance between Belarus and Equatorial Guinea to ensure sustainable development and jointly counter global challenges. "I am confident that our alliance of Belarus and Equatorial Guinea will firmly move forward to fulfill our commitments within the framework of Agenda 2030. For us, Belarus is a priority in our foreign policy," said Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

On the second day of the official visit, December 10, Alexander Lukashenko arrived on the mainland part of Equatorial Guinea from the island capital city of Malabo.

The presidential plane landed at the airport of the city of Mengomeyén. Alexander Lukashenko was met at the foot of the gangway by the President of the country, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. He invited the Belarusian leader to see the construction of the new capital of Equatorial Guinea - Ciudad de la Paz, the name of which translates from Spanish as "city of peace."

The presidents decided to travel in one car to view the completed facilities of the future capital. While driving through the future capital, the President of Equatorial Guinea showed the head of the Belarusian state the Afro-American University of Central Africa, the "La Paz Oyala" hospital, and the Government House.

The leaders' meeting continued over an informal lunch. Despite the more relaxed format, Alexander Lukashenko and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo continued a serious discussion on the development of bilateral cooperation.

The head of the Belarusian state also had a conversation with the First Lady of Equatorial Guinea, the wife of President Constancia Mangue de Obiang, who had previously visited Belarus and oversees the healthcare sector in her country.

Equatorial Guinea is located in the central part of Africa, on the western coast of the continent. The country consists of a continental part and islands in the Gulf of Guinea (total area about 28 thousand sq. km, including 26 thousand sq. km of continental territory). The capital city, Malabo, is located on the largest island, Bioko.

With the discovery of oil fields in the mid-1990s, the economy of Equatorial Guinea underwent drastic changes. Previously, it had an agrarian-raw material, plantation character, and now over 90% of the state budget revenues are generated from the oil and gas sector.

Currently, a project is being implemented in Equatorial Guinea to build the country's new capital, which is intended to replace Malabo in this status. The city is located in the eastern part of the continental territory and was previously called Oyala, but in 2020 it was renamed Ciudad de la Paz. The initiative to move the capital belongs to the President of Equatorial Guinea. It is assumed that the new capital will combine new architectural trends and traditional cultural elements, and promote the city's identity. It is expected that renewable energy sources will play a significant role in the city's economy.

Source: belta.by