Press releases

MINSK, 18 January (BelTA) – Belarus’ consulates general in Odessa, Gdansk and Milan will be shut down, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei told the media on 18 January, BelTA has learned.

According to the minister, this year Belarus will close its consulate general in Odessa. The Council of Ministers signed the corresponding resolution. Belarus’ consulates general will be also closed in Gdansk and Milan. “We will shut down two more consulates. The corresponding decisions will be ready soon,” the minister said.

Belarus is mulling over the opening of new embassies in one of the African countries and Europe. “We will do everything with the help of internal resources, without increasing the number of diplomats,” Vladimir Makei said.

“We are not a big country such as Russia or China. We should decide on the list of countries which cooperation will benefit Belarus the most. This list of countries was compiled long ago. We have recently analyzed our cooperation with these countries and see that we need to improve some moments,” the minister said.

He added that Belarus will have 66 foreign diplomatic representations in 56 countries.