Press releases

MINSK, 12 October (BelTA) – The idea of building a monument to Tadeusz Kosciuszko in Switzerland should be implemented without gross interference in the activity of the public association that put forward the initiative, spokesman for the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dmitry Mironchik told a press briefing on 12 October, BelTA has learned.

“Being the Belarusian government body responsible for cooperation with the Belarusians abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has supported the idea to build the monument. I believe this idea should be implemented, and without any gross interference in the activity of the public association in Switzerland,” Dmitry Mironchik said.

He stressed that the the Belarusian Association of Switzerland put forward the idea to build the monument and organize the inauguration ceremony. “It was not the Belarusian, Polish or any other embassy, any organization or a structure. It was the the Belarusian Association of Switzerland,” the spokesman said.

In his words, the Belarusian Embassy, the Polish Embassy and other diplomatic missions received an invitation to attend the ceremony as guests of honor. The Belarusian Embassy accepted it with gratitude. “I would like to stress that we did not set out any conditions, did not impose our will on the organizer or other guests. Diplomats will attend the event organized by the Belarusian public association in the capacity of honorary guests. What negotiations behind the hosts’ backs are they talking about?” Dmitry Mironchik said.

According to media reports, the dedication ceremony for the monument to Tadeusz Kosciuszko in Solothurn, Switzerland was scheduled on 21 October. However, a conflict situation arose thanks to the Polish Embassy over the inscription on a plate stating the country of origin of the national hero.