Opinions & Interviews

MOSCOW, 10 July (BelTA) – The promotion of Belarus’ cooperation with “far arc” countries, including countries in Southeastern Asia and Latin America, does not mean that ties with Russia and other traditional partners will be curtailed. The statement was made by Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei after negotiations with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on 10 July, BelTA has learned.

“Profound trade and economic ties, including those in the integration associations that emerge in the post-Soviet space, connect, connected and will connect us with Russia,” said Vladimir Makei.

The Belarusian Foreign Minister underlined that no country is able to rely on economic cooperation with one country or one integration association. “Thinking about the future, we should secure our position,” noted the official.

Vladimir Makei stated that the promotion of Belarus’ cooperation with countries in Southeastern Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East has noticeably increased. He said that the Belarusian side intends to open several diplomatic missions in new countries. “But it doesn’t mean that we will sever our ties with our European partners, primarily Russia,” stressed Vladimir Makei.

In turn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov remarked that the geography of visits of Russian leadership is also vast. “It is inadvisable to restrict oneself to one branch of trade and economic cooperation in the modern world,” he said. “The modern economic situation disallows it. The promotion of interaction with a large number of countries represents absolutely calculated national interests. Both Russia and Belarus pursue this line”.