Opinions & Interviews

Official Minsk describes Russia-Ukraine detainee swap as significant step
"Yes, this is the first step. It is always hard to do it. The Belarusian president has always stressed the need for sincere interest of all the parties in settling the situation. We understand that today we can move the process from the dead point only if we start with small steps"...

Medvedev: Economic development of Russia, Belarus depends on success of integration program
According to Dmitry Medvedev, before the meeting of the presidents of Belarus and Russia scheduled for early December, the parties have to do a lot of important work. In particular, they need to develop 31 roadmaps for the implementation of the deeper integration program...

Lukashenko reaffirms commitment to multi-vector foreign policy
"Everyone wants to have a role here. You know me and my character very well. I do not accept a situation when someone’s influence turns detrimental to our people. I totally reject it. Our vision is based on the multi-vector policy. We should look at the East and the West"...

Lukashenko: Belarus could co-host Olympic Games with Russia or Ukraine
"We have necessary facilities for the Olympic Games. We are going to build the National Football Stadium and a swimming facility. Russia has necessary football infrastructure. We can co-host the Olympics with them"...

Lukashenko: Belarus is proud to host Match Europe v USA
He added that he had asked IAAF President Sebastian Coe before to grant Belarus with the right to host the competitions. "I asked him and then thought that they would not allow us due to such politization. But we have been granted the right to host the match. Not every country receives such an honor"...

Belarus president talks about relations with Russia
Belarus maintains brotherly relations with Russia. Belarus’ foreign policy has not turned towards the West...

Lukashenko: Belarusians should do everything themselves, learn new skills
“My objective is as follows: we should do everything ourselves. Even if we don’t know how to do certain things, we should learn, all technologies are available,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Therefore, we will encourage you to master new technologies”...

Lukashenko compares present-day Brest to city of his youth
“It has changed. Brest has become a modern city. It is an absolutely different city, even the border, where I spent my military service period, has become absolutely different – well-tended, beautiful,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said...

Brest Oblast described as fine example of sustainable development
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Nowadays Brest Oblast is an example of stable development: from effective farming to cutting-edge technologies. I often refer to our western regions as an example to follow. I take pleasure in visiting them although I do it not as often as I would like to”...

Belarus-Russia cooperation on the rise
Igor Petrishenko and Dmitry Mezentsev discussed topical matters of bilateral cooperation. Regional cooperation was mentioned in addition to cultural and humanitarian contacts...

Jin Liqun confident in Belarus-AIIB successful partnership
“We had very fruitful talks with the president. We discussed our partnership opportunities and the role our bank can play in the further social and economic development of the country. I am confident that Belarus will become a very good partner for our bank”...

Presidents of Belarus, Russia to sign integration program in December
“The presidents are set to sign the program and a package of roadmaps, as well as a number of agreements that will address sensitive issues, first of all those related to gas. This will be a presidents’ package,” the minister noted...

Belarus’ initiatives viewed as contribution to regional security
According to the state secretary, foreign partners showed a big interest in the dialogue. "They wanted to listen to our assessment, our position and proposals. We are glad to see the striving for dialogue"...

Call for dismantling trade barriers between Belarus, Egypt
“During the visit of the Egyptian president to Belarus in June, we agreed that this is not the limit. We hope that in the coming years we will double or even triple the trade. Of course, to achieve this we should remove trade barriers that, unfortunately, still exist between our countries”...

Plans to build on Minsk discussion of new technology to fight terrorism
“I believe that the digital wave that rose in Minsk will go further involving more and more countries in the discussion of how to use new technology to prevent terrorism and to increase the efficiency of counter-terrorism efforts”...

Belarus’ cooperation with Russia unaffected by relations with NATO
"Our mutual relations with the NATO bloc or our neighbors are pursued without detriment to cooperation with the Russian Federation. We advance contacts both with our western neighbors and with Russia"...

Minsk conference described as uniting link in search for response to new terrorist threats
“It is clear that the results of the event will not be immediate. These are long-term joint efforts and it is early to talk about the final outcomes. However, we can single out intermediate results and their practical component,” Andrei Dapkiunas said...

Belarus advocates joint effort under UN aegis to combat terrorism
“The discussion of global, regional, and national approaches and strategies aimed at preventing the use of new technologies and artificial intelligence by terrorists showed how much they differ from each other”...

Belarus’ call to develop counter-terrorism front hailed as timely
“Aleksandr Lukashenko’s initiative is very timely. I wish it was supported, and those who combat terrorism teamed up. Only together we can defeat international terrorism,” Sergei Lebedev stressed...

Belarus’ leading role in UN noted
"The fight against terrorism is a priority for all the states as it is a real threat to mankind. The fact that Belarus is actively working in this area shows that the country continues to play the role of one of the organization’s leaders"...