Events

MINSK, 3 October (BelTA) - Honorary consuls make significant contribution to building sustainable bridges between the states, Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at the opening of the first conference of honorary consuls of Belarus on 3 October, BelTA has learned.

“Today we are in fact giving birth to a new tradition of holding regular conferences with honorary consuls. We are grateful to your contribution and development of bilateral relations with Belarus. We value your experience. We have met together to hear your opinion on strengthening further cooperation. There are no come-and-go people here. Every one of you is an individual with great working and personal experience, a robust social position, part of the establishment in your country. In my opinion, you are all forward-looking and wise people, having chosen to represent the interests of our country at home. This mission is unique, important and honorary. Remaining the citizens of your countries, you have decided to serve the development of friendly relations, the expansion of international trade, economic, cultural and scientific ties of Belarus,” Vladimir Makei said.

Vladimir Makei thanked the honorary consuls for their noble mission to protect the rights of the Belarusian citizens abroad. The minister also emphasized their considerable contribution to the recuperation of Belarusian children from the Chernobyl-hit regions.

“You are a direct and trust-based channel for bilateral communications. You are listened to by your authorities at home and also in Belarus, in business offices, by the Belarusian diaspora and the media. In my opinion, you have become an essential part of the united team, together with us, in more than 50 countries, the team which is aimed at establishing partner contacts, advancing Belarusian interests abroad. Many of you have been making significant contribution to the building of sustainable bridges between our countries,” Vladimir Makei said.

The minister also stressed that Belarus pursues a multipronged policy of cooperation with all the regions of the world. “For a relatively young independent state we have a big representation that covers cooperation with the majority of the countries where you occupy an important place,” he said.