Opinions & Interviews

FM: Belarus’ way to independence was not easy

Vladimir Makei. An archive photo

MINSK, 3 July (BelTA) - Belarus' way to independence was not easy, Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said in an interview with BelTA.

“I think independence means a lot to any citizen of Belarus if he is a true citizen of his country, if he is rooting for his country and wants it to develop,” he stressed. “Indeed, we have had a difficult past - the Belarusian land is really long-suffering. We have suffered a lot in various wars and we remember how in the past we had no right to be called Belarusians, we were called ‘locals’,” the minister said.

“We had to go a very long, long way, which was littered not only with roses but also with thorns, to be called humans as the famous classic put it. Today we live in a truly independent state. Although, in my opinion, we are still at the beginning of the formation of the true independence of the state. As you can see, there are so many challenges from different sides for our state,” the minister said.

“In order to ensure full independence, we, every one of us, of course, have to put a lot of effort, including we, diplomats, to defend the interests of our country in the foreign policy arena, to promote foreign economic interests, and to try to steer our country, our ship in this turbulent sea of confrontation into calm waters,” Vladimir Makei noted.

“We are ready to do everything to strengthen the independence of Belarus,” the minister noted.

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