Events

Lukashenko urges Olympic assembly to complete reforms in sport
“When can we expect to finish the reforms in sport, especially in the field of personnel management in the federations, state bodies and the ministry, going to be over? I would like this process to be completed by 30 May when, as I understand, the Olympic assembly is convened,” the head of state said...

Lukashenko: Optimization of Investigative Committee should not influence quality of work
The head of state asked about the progress in the optimization of the agency and stressed that it should not have any influence on the quality of investigation, its independent and honest nature. “I want to have objective information. Are there any failures? Do you need support?” Alexander Lukashenko wondered...

Lukashenko congratulates Rouhani on re-election as Iran president
“The results of the elections testified to the strong support of your progressive policy aimed at the consolidation of the society, realization of the country’s economic potential for the benefit of people, strengthening of Iran’s positions on the international arena by Iranian people,” the message of greetings reads...

Belarus plans to become key hub in new Silk Road project
According to the minister, the recent visit of the Belarusian president to China has shown that Belarus is developing strategic partnership with China which is one of the world’s most rapidly growing countries. Vladimir Makei commended Belarus’ participation in the One Belt, One Road project...

Lukashenko supports FTUB’s initiative on people’s control over prices
“I’ve heard that you want to organize people’s control over retail prices. Everything can be good ad all right in statistical reports, but the situation concerning basic products and major foodstuffs in shops may be different. Trade unions know this situation very well. Therefore, I support this initiative regarding the control over prices in trade organizations”...

Belarus named most peaceful post-Soviet country
“We have managed not to get drawn in conflicts and maintain friendly relations with all the neighbors. Belarus puts many efforts to help settle the Ukrainian crisis,” Vladimir Makei noted...

Makei names major principles of Belarus’ foreign policy
“We have consistently adhered to these principles, and thanks to this Belarus (and this is undoubtedly an achievement of ours) managed to avoid chaos and violence coming from outside, preserved peace, security and stability amid the most complicated geopolitical situation,” said Vladimir Makei...

Belarus, Ukraine’s Lviv plan to ramp up tourist exchange
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Ukraine Igor Sokol paid a visit to Ukraine’s Lviv Oblast and met with Lviv Mayor Andrei Sadovy. The sides discussed the ways to boost tourist exchange between Belarus and Lviv...

Concordant approaches in foreign policy of Belarus, other countries noted
As a key task the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs mentioned securing a more stable configuration of Belarusian foreign trade and distribution of export flows between the three main markets: the Eurasian Economic Union, the European Union, and the distant-arc countries. “But without reducing our presence on traditional markets,” noted Vladimir Makei...

Belarusian trade unions urged to step up efforts in elite sport development
Alexander Lukashenko suggested developing a corresponding system to help aspiring athletes realize their potential. He remarked that trade unions should provide strong assistance to the specialized ministry and the state in general in this field...

Cooperation with OSCE seen as important for Belarus
“By actively participating in the OSCE, Belarus makes an important contribution to the development of pan-European dialogue across the full range of issues of cooperation and security in the region,” Vladimir Makei said. He also noted that the OSCE is an important channel for communicating the Belarusian position, is an instrument for promoting the foreign policy initiatives, developing a dialogue with the EU and the United States and attracting international expertise...

Progress in strengthening Belarus’ independence seen as result of integrated efforts
“Only integrated efforts bring tangible, concrete benefits and help achieve practical results in the dialogue with our partners,” Vladimir Makei said. In the modern context, the connection between domestic and foreign policy plays an important role. The diplomat emphasized that the implementation of foreign policy is the primary task of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government bodies...

IMF experts to work in Belarus on 5-12 June
The IMF experts are expected to meet with representatives of Belarusian government agencies to discuss the state of affairs in the national economy. The IMF experts will also lay groundwork in anticipation of the annual IMF mission, which is expected to visit the country in October for Article IV consultations...

Belarus and Russia MPs to enhance interaction in foreign policy
“We have agreed with brotherly Russia to cooperate in foreign policy in the format 2 + 2. This means that the international affairs commissions of the two houses will meet and coordinate their activities in the run-up to various international events,” Sergei Rakhmanov said...

Makei: Belarus does its best to prevent military conflicts
“Someone may consider it Utopia, someone may make cynical remarks, but we sincerely want the countries not to seek military solutions to conflicts. We want conflicts to be settled diplomatically, and would like to see integration and regional organizations responsible for addressing such issues play an important role in this,” Vladimir Makei stressed...

Makei: Belarus aims to strengthen ties with all partners without detriment to anyone
“The world has not become any simpler. Vanishing division lines are replaced by others. All this proves that the fundamental decision of the Belarusian leadership to pursue a multi-vector policy was the right choice. We have been repeatedly pushed both by the East and the West to make a so-called final geopolitical choice,” the minister said...

Technical process of Belarus-EU visa liberalization, readmission talks underway
“We have put forward our point of view regarding the organization of work in the future to Europeans. The process does not stop, the work continues. But it is needed to reconsider the challenges and threats that are, first of all, connected with the changes in the migration situation in Europe. We are working on it, and the work is constructive. I am convinced that sooner or later we will come into the practical realm in the resolution of this issue,” the minister added...

Call for maintaining momentum in Belarus-U.S. relations
“Some time ago, we agreed to move towards each other by taking small steps to improve the positive environment of our relations. As you see, we are keeping to the agreement,” the minister stressed. He pointed out that the United States has extended the suspension of sanctions against some Belarusian enterprises...

Belarus hopes for continuity in French foreign policy
Vladimir Makei expressed confidence that the new president of France will ensure the continuity of the country’s foreign policy. “We aim for a constructive dialogue with France and the EU in general,” Vladimir Makei stressed...

Makei against dramatizing Russia’s move to transfer Belarus’ flights to international checkpoints
“I do not see any big problem here. The main thing is that our citizens have equal rights with Russian citizens. We have specific arrangements on this in the Union State,” Vladimir Makei said...