Opinions & Interviews

Visa-free travel hailed as opportunity for foreigners to see ‘true’ Belarus
First Deputy Head of Belarus’ President Administration Maksim Ryzhenkov noted that Belarus has recently launched five-day visa-free travel for citizens of 80 states. He stressed that this gives foreigners the opportunity to see the true Belarus. “Young people want to see as many tourists as possible in Belarus, want to be proud of the country, want foreigners to see us not only through the prism of social networks but also who we really are”...

Belarus, Lithuania described as bridgeheads for penetrating EU, EEU markets
"Our countries are more appealing to each other as economic partners considering Belarus’ participation in integration processes of the Eurasian Economic Union and Lithuania’s membership in the European Union," said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Lithuania Alexander Korol n a recent interview with the Baltic Times newspaper...

Belarus’ dedication to building safe nuclear power plant underscored
“As the country most affected by the Chernobyl catastrophe, Belarus pays top-priority attention to matters of nuclear safety and the transparent implementation of the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction project. We closely cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Commission, the World Association of Nuclear Operators, and other partners and use their expert potential and instruments as much as possible”...

Belarus’ parliament set to promote country’s positive image abroad
Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives Boleslav Pirshtuk believes that this can be achieved through active work of the parliamentary groups, and cooperation in international organizations...

Belarus’ decision to build NPP viewed as strategically right
“The launch of our own nuclear power plant will help ensure the country's energy security and reduce dependence on imported oil and gas. We should bear in mind that oil and gas will be growing more expensive. The decline in the oil and gas prices will not last long. To build the nuclear power plant was the right strategic choice,” the Belarusian vice premier said...

Belarus viewed as important Silk Road hub in Europe
“Belarus is an important hub of the Silk Road Economic Belt in Europe. It has a unique geographical position and also economic and cultural advantages. Belarus is part of the Eurasian Economic Union, is located at the junction with the European Union. The country is attractive due to its social stability, well-developed infrastructure, including transport. Belarus is really one of the most important hubs in the Silk Road Economic Belt”...

Energy Ministry: BelNPP open to international inspectors
“With regard to the statement by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, I would like to say that we are open. We work with the European Union in part of the preparation of the national report on the stress tests which we have already conducted,” Vladimir Potupchik said. The results of the stress tests will be submitted to the European Commission as well...

Giorgi Margvelashvili: Belarus-Georgia relations get a new impetus
“The openness Alexander Grigoryevich [Lukashenko] has, the focus on the most important issues we are addressing for the benefit of the nations have helped us intensify the relations between our countries at the intergovernmental and bilateral level. Business contacts have been gaining momentum as well"...

Petrishenko: Belarus is a pillar of security in the region
“Modern Belarus is ready to withstand any aggression, combat international terrorism, decisively suppress any of its manifestations. Our military doctrine has a purely defensive nature. We cooperate closely with our allies, first of all, with Russia"...

Peace viewed as Belarus’ main achievement
“The Armed Forces are celebrating another birthday. We have achieved good results. I am confident that we will further maintain peace in our country under the leadership of our President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus”...

Lukashenko: Belarus prioritizes protection of national interests
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has sent greetings to soldiers, warrant officers, officers, veterans, and all Belarusians on the occasion of the Fatherland Defenders’ Day. The message of greetings was read out by State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Slanislav Zas during the solemn meeting at the Palace of the Republic...

Interest in Belarus soars after launch of visa-free travel
"This is a chance for the tourism business to move to the next level, demonstrate the country’s openness. We hope to cooperate with the Belavia air carrier in the organization of five-day tours. Some hotels and travel agencies have met us halfway so that we could reduce the price of our tour packages to the level of those offered by competitors,” Filip Guly said...

Belarus, Brazil interested in exploring new cooperation avenues
Vladimir Makei underlined that Belarus always considers Brazil as the largest partner in Latin America. “We confirm the readiness to advance tighter relations with your country in politics, education, and culture, and at platforms of international organizations. I am convinced that active trade and economic partnership should be the engine of the bilateral relations”...

Slovakia named Belarus’ reliable partner in Europe
Chairman of the House of Representatives Vladimir Andreichenko said as he met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Slovakia to Belarus Jozef Migas...

Ambassador: Hungary appreciates Belarus’ openness, drive towards closer relations
"Belarusian openness and hospitality attract foreign visitors to the country. It is important that as many foreigners as possible come to see Belarus with their own eyes. The Hungarian partners appreciate the openness of Belarus and its steps to bring the countries closer together," Alexander Khainovsky said...

Lavrov views Belarus-Russia ministerial cooperation as businesslike
“The current stage of our joint work is marked by an uneasy media background. But I want to assure all our colleagues that the interaction between our foreign ministries and other departments is proceeding in a businesslike manner and in the proper working order,” stressed the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs...

Makei: Belarus and Russia should mark 25 years of diplomatic relations with real achievements
Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said as he met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow...

Belarus border authorities: No violations of visa-free travel rules by foreigners
Anton Bychkovsky, official representative of the State Border Committee of Belarus, told...

Belgian business ready to help Belarusian entrepreneurs enter new markets
"When we compare Belarus with neighboring countries, we see that Belarusian enterprises are more ready to export to new markets, including the European Union’s common market. But not everyone has enough experience in sales. Belgian companies have a vast experience and can help enterprises from Belarus properly build up sales strategies and enter new markets by joint efforts,” he said...

Kazakhstan Ambassador commends quality of Belarusian education
"The quality of education in Belarus is very high. The country also has good living standards, which attracts Kazakh youth to come and study here,”Yergali Bulegenov said. At the moment, about 300 Kazakhstan citizens are studying in the universities all over Belarus...