Igor Petrishenko appointed Ambassador of Belarus to Russia

Igor Petrishenko has been appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Russian Federation.

President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko also approved the appointment of Alexander Mikhnevich as the First Deputy Foreign Minister. Alexander Mikhnevich was relieved of the post of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Appointing Igor Petrishenko, Aleksandr Lukashenko underscored that as the ambassador Igor Petrishenko will represent Belarus in various integration bodies. “It is true for politics, economics, military and technical cooperation, including defense cooperation of our countries”.

“There are various reasons for combining the duties. It was my decision in its time. The most important thing is that there is no point in assigning a different person to each duty because the volume of work is not that large,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko. “Moreover, the minister and the Head of the [Belarus President] Administration have been instructed to submit proposals concerning the reduction of our representation where we can do without it. For now we have about two hundred people representing Belarus in the bodies while maybe half of them do their jobs. Therefore, we will streamline the system soon, including in the way we have it here”.

The head of state admitted that in view of the active development of integration processes in the direction of Russia the approach can be changed. “The volume of work is large. Integration has been resumed and is very active at that because Russia aims for integration. Therefore, if necessary, we are ready to reconsider the state of affairs upon your proposal”.

The President remarked that Igor Petrishenko had worked in the Embassy in Russia before and therefore knows the job from within. “Second, you are known well in the Russian Federation and your work is appreciated,” stated Aleksandr Lukashenko. Besides, the new ambassador is familiar with integration affairs. He has been part of the elaboration of the legal base for these relations among other things.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I want you to understand that the ambassador in the Russian Federation just like the ambassador in Venezuela, other backbone regions is something more than an ambassador. The Russian Federation is our most important partner in foreign politics and foreign trade. I have high hopes that you will decently represent interests of Belarus in the Russian Federation”.