Meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Aaron Wess Mitchell

I hope the relations between Belarus and the United States will gradually improve, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Aaron Wess Mitchell on 31 October.

“The fact that you are visiting the Belarusian capital speaks volumes. I hope it will be a truly historic visit that will give an impetus to the gradual improvement of the Belarusian-U.S. relations,” the Belarusian leader said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that the two countries have made serious progress in bilateral relations. “I would not, however, call them cardinal changes that are needed in the region today,” the head of state said.

The president emphasized commitment to the sovereignty and independence of Belarus and noted the country's readiness to develop relations with partners from different regions of the world. “This is the policy we pursue. The sovereign and independent Belarus develops relations wither with the European Union, the People’s Republic of China, the United States or Russia. We want to be sovereign and independent. In this regard we stay equally close to all centers of power on our planet. Even in the most difficult times in our relations I have never stopped saying that we are extremely interested in good relations with your country,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

"We want to be open to the world, pursue an open policy, and be predictable. We have never violated these principles. That is why many countries treat us with respect. Probably, the United States has also seen the sincerity of our policy. If we make advances in our relations, I promise you that Belarusians will be the most reliable, honest and sincere partners of yours,” the head of state said.

The president highlighted Aaron Wess Mitchell’s experience and knowledge of the problems in the region. “We know your attitude and the attitude of your country to these problems. I hope you, as the world’s leading country, will pay more attention to solving these matters. If necessary, we are ready to assist in solving the most difficult problems in Europe, especially in Eastern Europe,” said the Belarusian leader.

For his part, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Aaron Wess Mitchell thanked for the hospitality and stressed the importance that the U.S. attaches to the issue of independence and territorial integrity of Belarus. “We understand the deep and historically close relations between your country and the Russian Federation. We also understand the successes you have achieved in ensuring stability and territorial integrity, and, first of all, political stability in Belarus,” he said.

Aaron Wess Mitchell assured that the United States sees great potential in the development of both diplomatic and economic ties with Belarus.