Opinions & Interviews

Ambassador: President’s Address demonstrated clear position on Belarus’ independence, sovereignty

MOSCOW, 20 April (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed a clear position on the independence and sovereignty of Belarus in his Annual State of the Nation Address, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Vladimir Semashko told the media, BelTA has learned.

“I was most impressed with Aleksandr Lukashenko’s clear-cut position. He provided answers to many opponents regarding the fact that Belarus is an established independent and successful state today. No one should doubt that we value our independence, our sovereignty. We will never let anyone cast doubts on whether Belarus will stay as a state. It is of fundamental importance,” the diplomat stressed.

According to Vladimir Semashko, there has been a lot of talking around the State Union Treaty recently. “Belarus has submitted its position on the future development of the Union State to Russia. Virtually 20 years have passed since the agreement was signed. A lot has changed. Some things have lost their relevance. Something new has emerged, including external challenges, sanctions against Belarus first and then against Russia. We need to provide adequate responses. In our response to our Russian counterparts, friends, we stress that the Union State should continue to exist. The Union State Treaty reflects all our visions and expectations regarding the union. There is no need to change anything in the Union State Treaty. On the other side, as I said, with all the recent changes, there is a need to finalize the program for the implementation of the Union State Treaty. At present the parties (you know that two working groups have been set up) are working on the draft program to implement the agreement which was signed 20 years ago,” he said.

Vladimir Semashko added that the agreement envisages the single currency, banking system, legislation and the parliament. The parties, however, should implement this on parity terms in the interests of the two peoples.

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