Meeting with Rapporteur on Belarus of PACE Political Affairs Committee Andrea Rigoni
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We need to continue our dialogue with the EU bodies,
Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Andrea Rigoni,
Rapporteur on Belarus of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), on 23 March.
“We maintain dialogue on all issues which raise concerns in Europe and in Belarus. Today, we are not hiding behind the fence; we are talking to each other. This is big deal. I think that truth is born of dialogue, and we will see this truth emerge in our relations,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
“It is very important that you understand the situation in Belarus today and how difficult it is sometimes to act in Belarus even on the principles of the developed democracy of the European Union. It is not that easy,” the head of state remarked.
The President emphasized that Europe has been living with the current political system for several centuries. “Belarus is too young to operate at your level. It is important to realize that every state has its specific features; therefore, all the issues related to politics, diplomacy, democracy should be viewed through the specific prism of a certain state, including our state,” the Belarusian leader is convinced.
Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked Andrea Rigoni for the constructive position towards Belarus and for his resolution to promote the development of Belarus’ interaction with European bodies. “There are not many such politicians today. All of them pursue some goals. You have a noble goal. You help to reconcile positions even of the most antagonistic forces,” the head of state stressed. “In spite of the disagreements on certain political issues that exist between us and the European Union, you have been doing your best to add positive dynamics to our relations. I am grateful to you for that.”
Andrea Rigoni, in turn, thanked Aleksandr Lukashenko for the meeting that shows that you are open to dialogue and that Belarus has a welcoming and positive attitude to the development of the relations with the Council of Europe and the European Union in general.
“We maintain dialogue on all issues which raise concerns in Europe and in Belarus. Today, we are not hiding behind the fence; we are talking to each other. This is big deal. I think that truth is born of dialogue, and we will see this truth emerge in our relations,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
“It is very important that you understand the situation in Belarus today and how difficult it is sometimes to act in Belarus even on the principles of the developed democracy of the European Union. It is not that easy,” the head of state remarked.
The President emphasized that Europe has been living with the current political system for several centuries. “Belarus is too young to operate at your level. It is important to realize that every state has its specific features; therefore, all the issues related to politics, diplomacy, democracy should be viewed through the specific prism of a certain state, including our state,” the Belarusian leader is convinced.
Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked Andrea Rigoni for the constructive position towards Belarus and for his resolution to promote the development of Belarus’ interaction with European bodies. “There are not many such politicians today. All of them pursue some goals. You have a noble goal. You help to reconcile positions even of the most antagonistic forces,” the head of state stressed. “In spite of the disagreements on certain political issues that exist between us and the European Union, you have been doing your best to add positive dynamics to our relations. I am grateful to you for that.”
Andrea Rigoni, in turn, thanked Aleksandr Lukashenko for the meeting that shows that you are open to dialogue and that Belarus has a welcoming and positive attitude to the development of the relations with the Council of Europe and the European Union in general.