Belarus, North Korea sign ‘friendship’ treaty during Lukashenko visit

ISTANBUL

Belarus and North Korea on Thursday signed a treaty of “friendship and cooperation” during a visit by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Pyongyang, where he met leader Kim Jong Un.

The Belarusian presidency said the agreement was finalized during talks between the two leaders in the North Korean capital, marking Lukashenko’s first official visit to the country.

Lukashenko thanked Kim for the invitation and said the two nations share historical parallels, noting both were heavily affected by past military conflicts.

“The friendly relations between our countries, which began during the Soviet era, have never been interrupted,” he said, adding that ties are now entering “a fundamentally new stage.”

He also pointed to increased engagement between the two governments, including cooperation through intergovernmental bodies and foreign ministries.

According to the statement, the treaty outlines the goals and principles of bilateral cooperation and establishes a framework for expanding ties.

Kim said the agreement would serve as a legal foundation to ensure stable development of relations between the two countries.

Lukashenko arrived Wednesday at Pyongyang International Airport, where he was welcomed by senior North Korean officials and Belarusian representatives. He later attended an official ceremony with Kim at Kim Il Sung Square.