Working visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus M.Ryzhenkov to Togo (Day 1)

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Working visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus M.Ryzhenkov to Togo (Day 1)

On March 2, 2026 the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Maxim Ryzhenkov, arrived in the Togolese Republic on a working visit. The visit, the first to take place at such a level, is intended to bring bilateral relations to a qualitatively new stage. The Belarusian delegation included representatives from the ministries of industry and agriculture, which underscored the focus on practical economic cooperation.

During negotiations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Togolese Abroad of Togo, Robert Dussey, the parties discussed the current state and prospects for the development of bilateral relations. It was stated that the existing level of interaction does not fully meet the potential of bilateral relations; a fundamental agreement was reached on its intensification.

The meeting focused on the expansion of trade and economic cooperation. It was noted that Togo is considered by Belarus as one of its priority partners on the African continent and as an important logistics hub for accessing the markets of the Sahel countries.

A significant outcome of the event was the signing of an intergovernmental Agreement on the waiver of visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding between the ministries of foreign affairs of the two countries on conducting political consultations. The signed documents lay a solid foundation for the further development of political dialogue.

The parties agreed to intensify work on improving the legal framework, primarily in the trade and economic sphere. Among the priority tasks are the preparation of agreements on the avoidance of double taxation and the protection of investments, as well as the development of a "roadmap" for bilateral cooperation. The Belarusian side submitted for consideration by the Togolese partners a package of three draft sectoral agreements (between chambers of commerce and industry, in the fields of agriculture and export auditing/crediting).

The Togolese side showed particular interest in developing cooperation in the humanitarian, scientific, and technical spheres, primarily in the field of education and high technologies. The head of the Belarusian foreign ministry informed his interlocutor in detail about the capabilities of the Belarusian educational system, the activities of the High-Tech Park, and the scientific and technical potential of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

During the discussion of the international agenda, the heads of the foreign ministries of the two countries confirmed the alignment of approaches to key regional and global problems, including issues of conflict resolution and the role of states in maintaining international stability.

M.Ryzhenkov invited his Togolese colleague to visit Belarus on an official visit. The invitation was accepted with gratitude; the timing of the trip will be coordinated additionally.

The culmination of the first day of the visit was a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and the President (Chairman of the Council of Ministers) of Togo, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé.

The parties outlined a wide range of promising areas of cooperation covering political, trade-economic, and humanitarian spheres. The head of the Togolese government expressed full support for all agreements reached during the visit. Relevant instructions will be given to the heads of all sectoral departments of the country.

During the conversation, M.Ryzhenkov conveyed an invitation from the President of the Republic of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, to the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Togo to visit Belarus. The invitation was accepted with gratitude; specific dates of the visit will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels.

Special attention in the visit program was paid to agricultural issues. At negotiations with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Food Sovereignty of Togo, Antoine Lekpa Gbegbeni, the parties discussed in detail the prospects for interaction in the agricultural sector.

An agreement was reached to develop a specific algorithm aimed at ensuring the access of Belarusian food products to the market of Togo.

The Belarusian side confirmed its readiness to offer Togolese partners not just one-off equipment supplies, but comprehensive solutions for agricultural mechanization, including an investment component, training for local specialists, and the organization of assembly plants. Togo, where the agro-industrial complex accounts for 40% of the economy, expressed interest in cooperation regarding mechanization, irrigation, and the creation of modern warehouse infrastructure.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of Belarus gave a detailed presentation on the range of opportunities for interaction - from the design of agro-industrial complexes to the supply of seeds and dietary supplements. An invitation to participate in the "Belagro" international exhibition was extended to the Togolese side and was gratefully accepted.

In turn, the Deputy Minister of Industry of Belarus provided information on the readiness to ensure the full maintenance cycle of Belarusian equipment in Togo. Togolese partners expressed interest in creating a network of multifunctional centers within the country that could provide not only technical service but also equipment rental.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the process of obtaining certificates of conformity for the access of Belarusian food products to Togo was finalized. The Belarusian side handed over detailed information materials to their Togolese colleagues for further study to move the reached agreements into a practical dimension.

As part of the visit, Minister M.Ryzhenkov also visited a bus depot in Lomé, where he reviewed the operation of Belarusian buses used in the capital's suburbs. The head of the foreign ministry highly praised the effectiveness of cooperation in this field.

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