Opinions & Interviews

TBILISI, 23 April (BelTA) – Nobody is allowed and no one can destroy the unity of Orthodox nations today. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement as he met with Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Abkhazia and Bichvinta Ilia II, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian head of state noted: “Our nations have always been close. We feel your pain when you talk about integrity, about your nation.”

“We will do our best for the Georgian nation to turn over the pages of recent history and forget these days as soon as possible. I am saddened by the fact that we, Orthodox nations, had to see these pages,” said the Belarus President.

“But we should also look into the future. We have reached an agreement with your leaders that in the near future we will do our best in order to overcome these events as a Slavonic nation and a brotherly nation of the Georgian people. I am confident we can do it. We will do it. I can assure you of that,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarus President conveyed the warmest wishes on behalf of the Belarusian people. “Remember that we are ready to help you as soon as you ask for it. We have always been together, the history says so. Today nobody is allowed and no one can destroy this unity. We are brotherly nations. We have been together and will always be together. I would like you to always remember that,” said the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that any cooperation is based on economy. “Today our trade turnover is as small as $65 million. It is a laughable figure, a trade turnover that can be achieved by a medium-sized business. Within these two days we have secured agreements with your businessmen to the tune of $200 million. Contracts have been signed for specific arrangements,” said the Belarusian head of state. “We sat at the negotiation table and vowed to secure this trade turnover over the period of this year and the next year and hence the prosperity of the two nations,” remarked the Belarus President.

“You have just told me face to face that you’d been waiting for us for a long time. I thank you for waiting not for President Lukashenko, but for a representative of the Belarusian nation, the kindest nation there is, one can say, a nation of holy men, a peace-loving nation that has the kindest feelings towards Georgian brothers,” stressed the Belarus President.

“You are our brothers. The stance we have maintained with regard to global problems of development of the Georgian nation, its faith, Orthodox belief has turned out to be useful. We don’t regret it although, you must be aware of it, it’s been hard for us,” noted the Belarusian head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that an anniversary of the Great Victory will be celebrated soon. “I am very pleased that we start honoring our kind of people with his holy and ancient land,” said the Belarusian leader.