Opinions & Interviews
Slovak ambassador: We want our relations with Belarus to be much better
Ambassador Jozef Migaš. An archive photo
BREST, 25 July (BelTA) – Slovakia is interested in making its relations with Belarus better and more productive, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic to the Republic of Belarus Jozef Migaš told BelTA.
During the City Day celebrations and on the eve of the 82nd anniversary of liberation from Nazi invaders, Brest hosted an international conference titled Memory Without Borders.
“We need to build relations not only at the central level, at the level of big politics, but also at the regional one. I am very glad that a delegation from Slovakia, from the city of Vranov nad Topľou, is here with me. It is a sister city of Brest. I value this highly. We want our relations in trade, foreign turnover, culture, sports, and tourism to be much, much stronger, better, and more effective. After all, the Brest Fortress is magnificent; there is much to show our people. And they now demand that the truth be told to them,” Ambassador Jozef Migaš said.
He is convinced that one should not dwell on the past but focus on the future. According to the diplomat, the Slovak side is glad to welcome Belarusians. “We are doing everything to make obtaining a visa easier, so that people come not only in winter to ski, but also in summer. Our country is beautiful: we have mountains, nature. All of this must definitely be renewed,” he emphasized.
Brest is an important point on the cooperation route between Belarus and Slovakia: a gateway between East and West. “I come to Brest practically twice a month for various events. The main thing is that tourist groups have started coming here, your sports teams travel to Slovakia, and ours come here. Young people can do a lot to prevent division. There is no reason, I say honestly, to look askance at each other or be adversaries. This is unacceptable. Belarus (especially Brest) is a gateway from the post-Soviet space to Europe, including Slovakia. We are very interested in this corridor,” Ambassador Jozef Migaš assured.
He noted that there are obstacles to cooperation between the two countries. “Our delegations visited recently. Well, they had to stand at the border for a long time and waste time, while they need to come here and work for the benefit of Belarus and Slovakia,” the diplomat stressed.
Taking part in the conference were historians, political scientists, representatives of public organizations, and government bodies from Belarus, Russia, Azerbaijan, Slovakia, and China.
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