Belarus not to close embassies in European countries and Ukraine - Makey
<p> MINSK, Apr 26 - PrimePress. Belarus will not close its embassies in European countries and in Ukraine, but it is expected to reduce the number of diplomatic missions in some countries taking into account the bilateral trade turnover. Belarus Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makey made a statement to this effect in an interview broadcast by the ONT TV channel on April 25. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, President Lukashenko on Apr 6 announced a plan to reduce and close Belarus’ embassies in the countries where there are no prospects of a diplomatic presence. At the moment, Belarus’ interests abroad are represented by 70 foreign institutions in 58 countries, which account for almost 97% of exports and 76% of foreign investments. </p> <p> </p> <p> “We reduce the embassies where it is no longer profitable for us to keep them due to low turnover, low exports to a particular country. Therefore, we will close our embassies in several countries. This, however, does not apply to European countries, Ukraine and so on. We will continue to interact with all the countries, but, of course, we will look at how we are treated,” Makey said. </p> <p> </p> <p> The minister said that Belarus will continue to engage with all countries within the framework of maintaining a multi-vector foreign policy and focusing on allied relations with Russia. </p> <p> </p> <p> “We are ready to have normal relations with all partners, including representatives of the collective West. But if someone does not want that, we have to look for more reliable allies in other regions. Russia remains our main ally and partner. Even if we talk about the multi-vector policy, it does not mean that we are abandoning the eastern direction. We will also be looking for reliable partners in other countries that also have weight on the world stage,” said Makey. End </p>
2021-04-27
Primepress
Belarus not to close embassies in European countries and Ukraine - Makey
MINSK, Apr 26 - PrimePress. Belarus will not close its embassies in European countries and in Ukraine, but it is expected to reduce the number of diplomatic missions in some countries taking into account the bilateral trade turnover. Belarus Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makey made a statement to this effect in an interview broadcast by the ONT TV channel on April 25.
As previously reported, President Lukashenko on Apr 6 announced a plan to reduce and close Belarus’ embassies in the countries where there are no prospects of a diplomatic presence. At the moment, Belarus’ interests abroad are represented by 70 foreign institutions in 58 countries, which account for almost 97% of exports and 76% of foreign investments.
“We reduce the embassies where it is no longer profitable for us to keep them due to low turnover, low exports to a particular country. Therefore, we will close our embassies in several countries. This, however, does not apply to European countries, Ukraine and so on. We will continue to interact with all the countries, but, of course, we will look at how we are treated,” Makey said.
The minister said that Belarus will continue to engage with all countries within the framework of maintaining a multi-vector foreign policy and focusing on allied relations with Russia.
“We are ready to have normal relations with all partners, including representatives of the collective West. But if someone does not want that, we have to look for more reliable allies in other regions. Russia remains our main ally and partner. Even if we talk about the multi-vector policy, it does not mean that we are abandoning the eastern direction. We will also be looking for reliable partners in other countries that also have weight on the world stage,” said Makey. End