Belarus President receives credentials of foreign ambassadors

Belarus is ready to create favorable conditions for the implementation of constructive ideas and initiatives of representatives of foreign countries, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he received credentials from foreign ambassadors on 2 May.

“I am absolutely convinced that many of you have already enjoyed the beauty of Minsk and the hospitality of our people. I hope that the forthcoming Victory Day celebrations will help you learn more about the heroic past of our country,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state stressed that Belarus now holds the presidency in the Central European Initiative (CEI). It has opened up new opportunities for the more active engagement of Belarus in European integration processes. “The promotion of solidarity in Big Europe has been chosen as the main topic of Belarus’ presidency for a reason,” the President said. “Let’s agree that in the context of the current unstable situation and unprecedented challenges it is of special importance.”

This year is remarkable because Minsk will host the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. “This is an important and responsible event for our country. The session will focus on the enhancement of mutual trust and cooperation in the OSCE region. By hosting this remarkable forum, Belarus has an opportunity to begin the constructive dialogue with the representatives of many European states,” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked.

The head of state emphasized that Belarus is able to provide access to the vast market of the Eurasian Economic Union to foreign partners. Of course, it makes the country more attractive in the trade, economic, and investment dimensions.

“Belarus’ commitment to openness is proved by the introduction of the visa-free entry the citizens of 80 countries in 2017. Over the past period, this opportunity was also used by tourists and entrepreneurs from the countries you represent. All this creates a foundation for the enhancement of business and people’s relations,” the Belarusian leader said.

The President also remarked that 2017 was announced the Year of Science in Belarus. There are ambitious goals in this field. “Belarus’ objective is to join the top ten countries in priority avenues of research in ten years. We have preserved and are developing strong academic science represented by dozens of large research centers and higher education institutions,” he said. “We hope for your active assistance in the organization of the scientific and student exchange, establishment of university ties and implementation of joint science and technology projects.”

The ceremony was attended by the representatives of virtually all regions of the world. “I assure you that Belarus values partnership between our countries. We welcome you at all levels and are ready to create favorable conditions for the implementation of constructive ideas and initiatives,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

Receiving the credentials of the ambassador of Ukraine, the head of state said that Belarusians and Ukrainians have maintained good neighborly relations since ancient times. “We are united by the centuries-long history and similar culture, close economic ties. Having provided the Minsk negotiations platform for the regulation of the situation in eastern Ukraine, we will do our best to help restore peace and accord there. You can count on us in this regard,” the Belarusian leader said.

Belarus has been building relations with Azerbaijan in the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding. By joint efforts the countries have implemented a number of large projects in industrial cooperation. However, Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that Belarus and Azerbaijan should use the existing potential in full and make even more progress in this field.

“The development of bilateral cooperation with Armenia is of special interest for us. Partnership in the Eurasian Economic Union opens up new opportunities for boosting our trade turnover, diversifying deliveries, developing and enhancing our relations in general,” the President said.

The head of state praised increasingly vibrant political, trade and economic contacts with Belgium. Belarus is ready to continue the implementation of joint projects with this country in logistics, energy sector, chemical and food industries, other sectors.

Addressing the ambassador of Greece, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that the Belarusian side is going to develop mutually beneficial ties with this south European state. “There is a big potential for their expansion in trade and economy. For this purpose, we should join efforts to work out long-term mechanisms and efficient instruments of cooperation,” he believes.

Belarus’ relations with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta are constructive in nature. “I would like to thank this country for the role it plays by partaking in the implementation of humanitarian projects and aid programs in our country. I am deeply convinced that we will find many points of contact in this field,” the President remarked.

The Netherlands is traditionally among Belarus’ top ten economic partners. Belarus supports the decision to open the embassy of this country in Minsk. According to the head of state, the more the Dutch diplomats learn about Belarus the bigger the positive impact will be on the development of friendly ties.

Belarus is also interested in the open and mutually respectable dialogue with Norway which is one of the largest importers of Belarusian products in Scandinavia. At the same time, Aleksandr Lukashenko deems it necessary to continue expanding mutual trade with this country.

Belarus hopes to promote cooperation in advanced technologies, education, healthcare, science and culture after the arrival of the Israel ambassador to Belarus. “We have enough assistants here because many Belarusian and Israeli people are united by close, sometimes family ties,” the President said.

Welcoming the new ambassador of Iran, the head of state remarked that this country is an important partner of Belarus in the Asian region. The existing level of political and diplomatic contacts should be an example for the enhancement and expansion of trade and economic ties. The countries have to do a lot in this field.

“When building relations with New Zealand, we support all its initiatives. We are interested in increasing the mutual trade, establishing investment and humanitarian contacts. Belarusians and Belarus are prepared for it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “We see an untapped potential in the manufacturing sector, agriculture, education in cooperation with Rwanda. I would like to note that our country is ready to provide efficient mechanisms of financial support for Belarusian export together with the biggest banks of the African continent,” he continued.

Aleksandr Lukashenko wished every success to the ambassadors in their diplomatic service, interesting and productive work for the benefit of the states and nations. “We will render all necessary assistance to you in the implementation of your diplomatic activity. There are no closed themes for any ambassador accredited in Belarus. Feel free in making proposals. All of them will be taken into account, implemented at the shortest time possible,” the President stressed. “I wish you only one thing: that is to be sorry to leave the country when the time comes. I wish you to become truly supportive people living in Belarus,” he added.

The Belarusian head of state received credentials from the ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Iran, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Armenia, Greece, Rwanda, Israel, Ukraine.