Opinions & Interviews

OSCE PA appreciates Belarus’ readiness to host 26th summer session
Christine Muttonen noted that it was her first visit to Belarus but she was already looking forward to a new meeting in July because the annual summer session is the key event in the work of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. During such sessions top officials of the Assembly are elected, declarations and resolutions are adopted...

Speaker: Belarus contributes significantly to European security
The visit of the OSCE PA delegation to Belarus, the signing of the agreement on the 26th summer session are another step towards promoting cooperation and dialogue on all issues of mutual interest, Vladimir Andreichenko said...

Reynders: Belarus can have good relations with both EU and Russia
“We are currently in difficult talks with Russia on various issues. We, however, continue to believe and to persuade that it is normal to have good relations with all the neighbors. It is important for Belarus to continue diversifying its relations with neighbors,” Didier Reynders added...

Vice Speaker: Belarus thoroughly preparing for OSCE PA summer session
“We will welcome representatives of many EU states, CIS countries, MPs from the United States and Canada. These countries are our main economic partners. This is going to be a milestone event for Belarus. We have never hosted the event of such scale and such scope of participation before,” the Vice Speaker noted...

Lukashenko: EBRD’s cooperation with Belarus’ public sector will be productive
“Within the framework of the current strategy we will be able to expand cooperation in the public sector. I am convinced that this cooperation will yield good results. The development of all forms of ownership, including in the public and private sectors, is Belarus’ priority. I am grateful to you for understanding and for having no prejudice in this regard”...

Reynders: Europe sees Belarus as country promoting dialogue
Didier Reynders noted that more and more often Belarus becomes a participant of major international processes. He emphasized the important role of the country in the organization of the negotiation process to promote settlement of the conflict in Ukraine...

Lukashenko: Belarus will always support unity, stability in Europe
"I can guarantee that Belarus will always be working towards unity and stability in Europe. Even in the difficult times we did not create problems for you and will not create them in the future,” Alexander Lukashenko said...

Makei: Belarus is a staunch supporter of integration
“In line with this policy, Belarus’ presidency in the Central European Initiative will be mainly aimed at promoting connectivity in a greater Europe. This includes a big number of cross-cutting themes such as the development of transport infrastructure, harmonization of norms and standards related to customs and trade, promotion of economic development at the municipal and regional levels"...

Michael Roth: Germany supports Belarus in its accession to WTO
“Open borders and fair free trade are the best instruments of globalization. There is no need in new walls, new forms of isolation. We are confident in this. The same is true about trade. I would be happy if Belarus made part of the WTO. We need this economic cooperation, fairness in trade, and the WTO is a powerful instrument here,” Michael Roth said...

Belarus rejects false choice between East and West
“Our relations with Europe must be built on shared values, not only on economic pragmatism. I believe we have shared the values since ancient times, despite some contradictions and differences,” Oleg Kravchenko said...

Belarus ready to develop all-round cooperation with Egypt
“In fact, we are ready to provide necessary assistance in personnel training and share technologies in all avenues of cooperation you are interested in,” the head of state stressed. “We are ready to set up enterprises in Egypt, develop them with you”...

Michael Roth: Trostenets is an all-European site for commemoration of Nazis’ victims
Michael Roth stressed that the event is a tribute to the memory of the Nazism victims as Trostenets was the biggest death camp in Europe where many Belarusian, Austrian, Czech Jews, and Soviet army prisoners were killed...

Remembering Nazism victims named part of Belarusian government policy
The statement was made by Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleg Kravchenko during the opening of a mobile exhibition in the Belarusian State Museum of History of the Great Patriotic War...

Germany interested in Belarus-EU rapprochement
“My country is strongly interested in the rapprochement of the European Union and Germany on one side and Belarus on the other side. We would like to accelerate the process," German Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth made the statement...

Towards IT Nation: Belarus enters new stage in hi-tech development
“We have all preconditions for that. We have many talented people who generate great ideas. I am absolutely confident that we will see a breakthrough here. We are not talking about a global breakthrough, but I strongly believe that Belarus will be a regional leader, a leader in Eastern Europe. We will see this happen very soon”...

Belarus views Germany as key partner in European region
Vladimir Makei, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs, said as he met with Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office. He stressed that Belarus is interested in developing relations with Germany in various areas...

Rusy: Belarus hopes for more investment, trade with Israel
“Belarus works consistently to create the most enabling environment both for the Belarusian and foreign business. I believe, this will serve as an impetus for businessmen from Belarus and Israel to explore new lines of cooperation and new markets together”...

Lukashenko supports idea of creating conditions for driverless vehicles in Belarus
“We have voiced the idea of driverless cars. What we need to do now is to develop corresponding regulations for Belarus to allow such vehicles on public roads. Alexander Lukashenko expressed his support for the idea and agreed to have a ride once he has such a chance,” Viktor Prokopenya said...

Lukashenko urges to raise efficiency of crime prevention measures
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the session held to discuss the performance of law enforcement agencies in 2016 and the optimization of law enforcement and judicial systems...

Hope for dramatic reduction of burden on business
He stressed that state bodies are interested in close cooperation with businesses. “We can make it only by cooperating with businesses. It will help us both avoid mistakes and solve the most pressing issues of the day,” Piotr Arushanyants stressed...