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Lukashenko: Belarus not engaged in secret diplomacy

MINSK, 22 February (BelTA) – Belarus is not engaged in secret diplomacy. Neither embassy personnel nor military attaches are tasked to do that, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he answered questions of cadets and professors of the Military Academy on 22 February, BelTA has learned.

The president underlined that it is time for other methods of diplomacy. Belarusian diplomats abroad and military attaches are first of all focused on promoting trade and economic cooperation.

The head of state recalled that there is no division between political and economic diplomacy in Belarus. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in charge of both. “We also have military attaches, but they are few and not in every country. These are military diplomats who maintain contacts in the defense field,” the Belarusian leader said.

In his words, it is important to stay in the know about recent developments in this or that country, to the extent possible. Indeed, diplomats of a number of countries and military attaches are engaged in intelligence and espionage activities; however, such tasks are not set for Belarusian diplomats in the time of peace, Alexander Lukashenko assured. “If the situation escalates, the state will strengthen the diplomatic service and might even resort to secret diplomacy,” the head of state added.

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