Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 20 September (BelTA) – European MPs mark serious positive changes in Belarus, Speaker of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich said in an interview with the RTR-Belarus TV channel, BelTA informs.

“Take a look at our agro-towns. They are of a European level. The same is true about our industrial enterprises. When I talk to leaders of some CIS countries or even European MPs, they all take note of the recent very serious positive changes both in the economy and society of the country. Belarus is truly a country of young democracy. It is not the country and not the society that was some 20-25 years ago. It is a modern country, a decent member of the European and international community,” said Mikhail Myasnikovich.

The Belarusian PM is confident that the European and international structures see these positive changes. “Several days ago I met with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (the PACE pre-election mission - BelTA) and I could see that they had been given certain instructions,” said the Chairman of the Council of the Republic.

“The head of the PACE mission said: “I see huge positive changes in Belarus,” Mikhail Myasnikovich noted. According to the Chairman of the Council of the Republic, PACE rapporteur on Belarus Andrea Rigoni has numerously stressed the positive character of the changes.

“I think that those authorities in Europe and abroad that took up decisions some 15-20 years ago, the decisions that were not very objective, they will finally see the true picture and will be objective in their assessment. What are sanctions? It is when one has no more arguments than to introduce sanctions. Although it badly affects ordinary people,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said. In his words, there are beliefs that sanctions lead to a change in or the replacement of the authorities. “It is not true. One should understand the Slavonic mentality. If we have an external threat, the whole nation unites in support of their leader,” noted the Chairman of the Council of the Republic.