MOSCOW -- Belarussian President, Aleksandr Lukashenko, here on Friday stressed that there is no obstacle in the way of Tehran-Minsk cooperation and relations.

Lukashenko told visiting Iranian Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, Ali Shamkhani, that Minsk is ready to cooperate with Tehran in any field.

He said the two countries have had favorable cooperation in areas that serve national interests of both countries.

Shamkhani said for his part that Iran stands firm in expanding ties with Belarussia.

According to the Russian News Agency, Itar-Tass, Shamkhani and the accompanying delegation are visiting Belarussia to make the necessary arrangements for the Iranian president's upcoming visit to that country in the second half of 2001.

(IRNA)