Opinions & Interviews
Deputy MFA: Belarusians are different, God is behind us
Igor Nazaruk
MINSK, 7 December (BelTA) – The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has hosted a regular meeting of the Consultative Council for Belarusians Abroad. Taking part in it were members of the diaspora from various countries, including the EU and the USA, BelTA has learned.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Nazaruk briefed the attendees on the ongoing developments in Belarus and around it. “I would like you to build an objective picture of what is going on, so that you can make assessments based on the information that really deserves attention, not based on assumptions made by the media in your countries or certain curators. Moreover, as far as I am informed, some countries have simply turned on a silent mode. They used to bad-mouth us, but now they act as if we do not exist. You know, Belarus is not better than others but it is not worse than others either. We are just different. We are pursuing our own path, we have our own destiny. God is behind us, and therefore everything we do is right,” the deputy foreign minister stressed.
Speaking about the event itself, Igor Nazaruk emphasized that it was important and symbolic that it was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, because the ministry and diplomatic missions communicate directly with Belarusians living abroad, with the diaspora. “First and foremost, we are a kind of communication channel for our people who, for one reason or another, ended up outside their Motherland. On the other hand, we ensure the continuity of generations, we pass on our traditions, knowledge, cultural and other values. We constantly share with our compatriots the latest news about our country, so that they can get a clear and objective idea of what is going on in contrast to what propaganda in some countries or in a group of countries would say,” he said.
The deputy foreign minister spoke about the difficult situation that is currently unfolding against the backdrop of a systemic crisis in international relations, deepening confrontation, and growing conflict potential between global centers of power. “For its independent and peaceful policy Belarus was subjected to pressure that is unprecedented in its diversity and sheer absurdity,” said Igor Nazaruk.
He emphasized that Belarus declared the year 2022 the Year of Historical Memory, and this fact largely predetermined the nature of interaction with Belarusians abroad as Belarus sought to highlight this matter and draw the attention of the international community to it. The efforts focused on preventing the rewriting of history and strengthening the unity of the Belarusian people. In this regard, it is important that representatives of the diaspora took part in a number of thematic events held abroad. “We thank you for your assistance in building contacts, supporting interaction with representatives of the political and expert communities, public figures in foreign countries as part of the efforts to highlight the theme of the Year of Historical Memory,” the representative of the ministry said.
He recalled that an important milestone in the efforts to highlight the topic of historical truth in the international arena was the initiative to spread information about the genocide of the Belarusian people during the Great Patriotic War. “It was not only the Germans, not only the Nazis who killed. Now we look at it differently. And we know the history of Khatyn, we know who committed all these atrocities that even the most hard-line fascists would not do. They could not watch it calmly, without a shudder,” said Igor Nazaruk.
The participants of the meeting saw a photo exhibition “We are together! With love for Belarus” dedicated to the activities of the diaspora abroad.
At the beginning of the meeting, a minute of silence was observed to pay tribute to the late Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Vladimir Makei who suddenly passed away. In previous years, he chaired similar meetings with the diaspora. Igor Nazaruk noted that the minister really liked this format of communication. After his death the functions of the chairman were temporarily transferred to First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Aleinik who could not attend the current meeting due to a business trip abroad.
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