Accra, May 12, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday received a special message from the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, indicating the interest of the Eastern European nation to forge stronger economic ties with Ghana.

General Viktor Sheimani, Senior Minister and Special Adviser to President Lukashenko, delivered the message to President Mills at the Osu Castle in Accra and invited President Mills for a visit to Belarus. General Sheimani commended Ghana on her political stability and sound environment for economic growth and development.

He expressed the interest of Belarus to partner Ghana to forge bilateral economic development and described Ghana as the gateway for economic development in the West African sub-region. According to General Sheimani, who is leading the delegation from his country for bilateral talks, Minsk was proud to partner Accra and eager to develop their friendship.

The Eastern European nation, he said, was ready to assist with its technical know-how in the areas of machine development, the extractive industry, establishment of fertilizer plants, power plants and agri-business and joint stock companies. President Mills expressed appreciation for the visit, which, he said, was an indication in very concrete terms of the kind of cooperation the Eastern European nation wanted to have with Ghana.

He described Belarus as having the requisite expertise and technical knowledge, while Ghana had what it took to attract investment from Belarus. The President said: 93You are very welcome. Ghana is an emerging country.

We welcome you. Your country and Ghana are on the same wavelength, we want development." President Mills said Ghana was ready to work with Belarus and assured the delegation of Ghana's fullest support of their investment efforts.