OREANDA-NEWS. August 19, 2011. In the course of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, to the State of Qatar, at the initiative of the State of Qatar, there was an unscheduled meeting between the President of Belarus and Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

During the meeting, the Leaders discussed the proposals put forward by Belarus on the previous day, which implementation was in the mutual interest of both sides.

Talking to reporters, Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus and Qatar had huge prospects in terms of development of their relations. The relations are based on the clear and sincere foundation. "Belarus possesses unique possibilities, while Qatar huge financial resources," said the Head of State. "They lack possibilities, and we lack financial means. Time has come for more active steps."

During the meetings, the Leaders discussed specific mutually beneficial projects. According to Alexander Lukashenko, Qatar proposes to build or create a powerful financial center in Belarus. "They have a very good record of accomplishment in this respect," said the President.

Qatar is also interested in logistics. "We are prepared to provide opportunities for the construction of logistics centers near Orsha and Brest," said Alexander Lukashenko.

According to the Head of State, the project on creating a big industrial and production area, also known as An Island of Qatar in Europe, deserves special attention. This area will most likely be located somewhere in the region of Brest and will feature Qatari banks, business and cultural centers of the Gulf's Arab countries, residential dwelling and social facilities.

In addition, Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani expressed interest in construction projects in Belarus, starting from building Emir's residence to constructing a big sports and hotel center in the Pobediteley Prospekt in Minsk, near the roofed football stadium.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the Leaders of the two states held similar views on the strategy of optimal development in today's age of globalization, when the keeping of balance is both as critical and challenging as ever. "Small medium-sized countries should keep together; we do not have any mutual claims," said the President.

The Belarusian Leader invited the Emir of Qatar to visit Belarus in winter. According to him, both presidential administrations and other concerned agencies have received due orders in this respect, and within one month the cooperation avenues will be systematized and structured. After that, the business communities of the two countries will first meet in Belarus, then in Qatar. In addition, it is planned to hold the Days of Belarusian Culture in Qatar and after this Days of Qatari Culture in Belarus.

With respect to the informal CSTO summit in Astana, where the President of Belarus was the chairman, Alexander Lukashenko said a serious step was made during the summit to resolve the disagreements within the organization.

"If a state adheres to the regulations of the CSTO, it means such a state should be fully cooperative within this organization. If not, it should leave," said the President.

Speaking with the press, Alexander Lukashenko commented on the actions of the British authorities with regard to the pogrom-makers, having called the actions adequate. If the British authorities had acted differently, they would have thrown the country into chaos. At the beginning of the pogroms the British police was not prepared to handle the situation as it was unfolding, but what followed was a rather harsh and pragmatic reaction.

According to the Head of State, in the wake of the tragic events in Norway and other countries, Europe sobered up, and perhaps will look at events in other countries differently too. At the same time, the President mentioned presence of double standards. "God forbid anything like that happening in our country. They would have lambasted us," said Alexander Lukashenko.

After that the President of Belarus was given a tour of the Museum of Islamic Art, which is located on a 45,000 sq m island in the southern part of the gulf of Doha.