Opinions & Interviews

Hale: United States not asking Belarus to choose between East, West

MINSK, 17 September (BelTA) – By normalizing relations, the United States is not asking Belarus to choose between East and West, United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale said after the meeting with Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Minks on 17 September, BelTA learned.

“The United States also welcomes Belarus’ increased cooperation on issues of non-proliferation, border security, economic cooperation, and information sharing on matters of shared security. I would like to reiterate that by normalizing our relationship, we are not asking Belarus to choose between East and West. The United States respects Belarus’ desire to chart its own course and to contribute to peace and stability in the region,” David Hale said

He stressed that United States remains committed to a sovereign, independent Belarus with a prosperous future for the next generation.

At the same time, the U.S. official noted that there are still aspects of the Belarus Democracy Act with which the Belarusian government needs to contend, and the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections represent an opportunity to address the spirit of the concerns outlined in the Belarus Democracy Act. “With such progress, we can discuss further easing of sanctions,” David Hale noted.

Belarus is a country with a rich culture and vibrant, talented people.  We look forward to increased cooperation and dialogue between our countries,” the U.S. official noted.

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