Aleksandr Lukashenko receives credentials of foreign ambassadors

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has received credentials of ambassadors of six countries and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. The solemn ceremony took place in the Palace of Independence on 24 November.

Aleksandr Lukashenko received credentials of ambassadors of Bangladesh, Israel, Cambodia, China, Namibia, Pakistan, and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

“The present day can be evaluated in different ways. But one thing is clear for us - Belarusians, as many times in the past, have proved their ability to defend the country's sovereignty, traditional values and territorial integrity. I have repeatedly stated and will say it again: it is only our people who have the right to decide how the Belarusian state will develop in the future,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

The President said that a dialogue is in progress in the country about the future of Belarus and ways of its development. This discussion involves ordinary citizens, labor collectives, experts, MPs, representatives of public organizations and government bodies.  "It is important for us to hear everyone's opinion. All constructive proposals will be included in the agenda of the Belarusian People's Congress," the head of state assured.

“I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize one thing. Recently, western states have been very concerned about the further development of Belarus and are building different schemes to influence the Belarusian government and the President in order to overthrow the current government. They have reached the point and are ready to involve Russia in this process but they do not know how (I make this statement on the basis of the ironclad, as they say in China, facts), In this regard, I want to say that the Belarusian President can be removed from office. It can be done. I can tell you how. There is only one way: it is only the Belarusian people that can do it on the basis of the current laws and the Belarusian Constitution. As you can see, the answer to all the questions that Western diplomats in Belarus, those in the West and also Belarusians who have fled the country are preoccupied with today is very simple."

The head of state stressed that Belarus, with its initiatives on the international arena, proved its ability to make a constructive contribution to the settlement of various problems.

“Given its complicated history and geopolitical position, Belarus is very much interested in non-conflict and effective cooperation with other countries, including the Western ones. At the same time, we certainly rule out any political and economic pressure. In dialogue with partners, Belarus adheres to the principles of openness, honesty and equality. As for any pressure on us, let alone sanctions, I say it honestly and openly: an adequate response will follow, and it will be more painful for the European community in the first place. We should not go this way,” the President said.

According to the head of state, increasingly fierce competition is seizing the global economy against the backdrop of the fight against the pandemic. “The global situation is rapidly changing and is often difficult to predict. The long-standing conflicts have not gone anywhere. In such difficult conditions all states strive to develop a strategy of effective counteraction to challenges and threats. As practice shows, it is much more productive to act together, and not the way the Western states do. They have recently declared that they allocate as much as €24 million for Belarus in these difficult conditions. They said, however, that the money will be used not for the fight against the pandemic, but for the development of ‘civil society’ (this means support for those protest actions that are taking place in Belarus and support for the so-called opposition).  Unfortunately, this money disappear on the way to Belarus and we know where it goes. These are various coordination councils set up outside our country as an alternative to the current leadership of Belarus, and also as assistance to those who fled to Poland and the Baltic States, to Lithuania in particular,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state stressed that Belarus is a reliable partner for the countries that the ambassadors represent. “We have something to offer you for cooperation,” the President said.

On China

Addressing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Belarus Xie Xiaoyong, Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Our relations with the People’s Republic of China are a trust-based comprehensive strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation. It says it all (all this is set forth in international agreements). This philosophy underlies all areas of our cooperation.”

The President pointed out that Belarus is an active participant of China’s Belt and Road initiative. “Today, this is a truly effective project that yields concrete results. We have facilitated and will continue facilitating its alignment with the integration processes in the Eurasian Economic Union as much as possible,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

He cited the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone as a vivid example of the bilateral cooperation. The industrial park is already home to about 70 high-tech foreign companies.

Moreover, two more important projects for Belarus have kicked off this year: the construction of a national football stadium and a world-class swimming pool financed by China.

“Belarus’ export to China has been growing steadily. According to our estimates, this year, our agricultural export to China will reach $200 million for the first time. I believe that this is just the beginning,” the Belarusian President noted.

On Israel

Describing the relations between Belarus and Israel, the President noted that the two countries are bound by centuries-old friendship, and share the common tragedy of the bloodiest war in the history of mankind.

"Our states have been consistently defending the absolute inadmissibility of revising its results and heroizing Nazism (by the way, our parliament will soon consider a bill on the inadmissibility of the heroization of Nazism in Belarus). Many countries, especially those near us, have been known for the attempts to heroize Nazism. They should not do it. I am convinced that no merits to the fatherland can justify crimes against humanity," the Belarusian leader stressed.

Aleksandr Lukashenko hopes that the countries will continue cooperation in the field of information and biotechnology, robotics, and artificial intelligence. "There is something we can offer you. We know your level of development," the President said.

On the Order of Malta

"Belarus has a significant experience of bilateral cooperation with the Order of Malta, which we are grateful to for the great humanitarian aid, supplies of medical equipment, training of Belarusian doctors," the head of state said.

He also noted that the Order of Malta has been actively cooperating with Belarus as part of international efforts to combat human trafficking.

On Pakistan

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, Belarus attaches special importance to cooperation with Pakistan. “After the opening of the diplomatic missions, Minsk and Islamabad made a real breakthrough in all areas of cooperation. Today we need to make a good use of our achievements and focus more on industry, agriculture, education, pharmaceuticals and healthcare. The main thing is not to stop. We must move forward, despite all sorts of cataclysms here and there," the head of state stressed.

The President noted that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to visit Minsk.

On Bangladesh

Belarus views the People's Republic of Bangladesh as an important and promising partner, the President said. He added that the two countries have recently stepped up their interaction in the trade and economic sector. “The opportunities are great here. We see good prospects for mutual cooperation in industry, agriculture, pharmaceutics and education. The positions of our countries are also close on the main issues on the international agenda,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

On Cambodia

This year Belarus and Cambodia have celebrated the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations. “Over the period of time the two countries have developed a legal framework and working bodies for cooperation. It is time to actively move towards concrete projects. We are ready for it,” the President said.

“Belarus’ technological capabilities can largely meet the needs of the rapidly developing economy of Cambodia. Apart from machinery and equipment supplies, our enterprises are ready to intensify industrial cooperation, to participate in the development of transport and energy infrastructure of Cambodia and in the mining industry. We are ready to create the enterprises you need and train workforce for you,” the Belarusian leader said.

On Namibia

“Our potential of cooperation with Namibia is still hugely untapped. Today we are only at the start of formatting our relations. I am absolutely convinced that we need to be focused on achieving practical results in the long-term perspective of our cooperation,” the President said.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, it is necessary to focus on increasing mutual trade and implementing joint projects in energy and agriculture.

At the end of the ceremony the head of state congratulated the diplomats on the official start of their mission in Belarus. “I hope that you will provide your leadership with unbiased and objective information about our country. We are ready to help you in this. I hope that your experience and professionalism will become a solid foundation for constructive cooperation, and its practical results will not be long in coming,” the President said.