Opinions & Interviews

FM: Optimization will not affect Belarus’ diplomatic presence in the world

MINSK, 12 April (BelTA) – The upcoming optimization of the network of diplomatic missions will not affect Belarus’ diplomatic presence in the world, Belarus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said in an interview with the Belarus 1 TV channel on 11 April, BelTA has learned.

This topic was on the agenda of a government session hosted by the president on 6 April and caused heated discussions. "The attention given to this session shows that the Belarusian diplomatic service still plays an important role. Attempts are made to undermine it in the hope that this will serve perhaps as some kind of a signal for other ministries," the minister said.

Vladimir Makei noted that sometimes some former employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs say that the ministry used to have highly qualified specialists. "They imply that ‘they were those great specialists. Now that they are gone the ministry has nothing left’. I want to reassure them: our employees are highly qualified. There are young people, very intelligent, well-educated, with several university diplomas. The Belarusian diplomatic service is alive and continue to be alive," the minister stressed.

As for the optimization of foreign missions or the central apparatus, Vladimir Makei noted: this process is ongoing. "We analyze the status of our relations with certain countries. Naturally, if we see that there has been no results for several years primarily in terms of foreign economic activity, then we discuss this in the government and make an appropriate proposal to the president," he said.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks