Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 18 January (BelTA) – Belarus is interested in continuing the embassy-format cooperation with Israel, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Israel Vladimir Skvortsov said in an interview to RTVi Channel, BelTA informs.

“We are interested in continuing our embassy-format relations we have had over the past years. We had negative experience when the embassy of Israel in Belarus was closed in 2003. Less than a year later it resumed operation. Perhaps it testifies to the fact that the wrong step was made then,” the diplomat believes.

“We still have time to look thoroughly into this decision and maybe make some steps to rectify the situation. We should discuss it together with our partners,” said Vladimir Skvortsov.

In his words, the closure of embassies is negatively taken in both the countries. At the same time Vladimir Skvortsov assured that the relations between the two countries would be continued. “I would just like to take note of the level of cooperation we have established with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have great relations. Thanks to joint efforts we will do our best to minimize the damage this step may do. We hope it will not happen,” he said.

The Ambassador also said that Belarus and Israel enjoy strong historical and cultural ties, while the mutual trade has doubled over the past five years. Apart from that, the two countries have introduced visa-free travels for their citizens. Cooperation in other areas is also vibrant.