Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: Belarus is open to good neighborly relations with Lithuania without political bias

MINSK, 15 January (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to build good neighborly relations with Lithuania if the latter wants it. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement as he appointed Valery Baranovsky Belarus’ new ambassador to Lithuania on 15 January, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko said: “It is up to Lithuania. If they want to cooperate with us, if they want to build good neighborly relations, we are open to it. If they don’t, I think we have a bunch of options. We can get by. Moreover, our main trade and economic cooperation is directed to the south, southwest, and southeast.”

Continuing the line of thought, Alexander Lukashenko mentioned it is necessary to truly build logistics all the way to Odessa: “The port of Odessa is open to us. We can use this port in that direction.” “As for the western direction, we maintain good relations with Latvia. If Lithuania doesn’t want to build relations, if it doesn’t want to depoliticize them and forget the inexplicable demands concerning the nuclear power plant… It is just some kind of nonsense. Why do they have to make the nuclear power plant a sticking point?!” wondered the head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko made it clear that the Belarusian nuclear power plant will be built anyway because the country needs it. “If Lithuania wants the project to benefit Lithuania too, let’s take care of the nuclear power plant together. We didn’t start shouting when they were having problems with their nuclear power plant. This is why Belarus will be of use to Lithuania. I don’t think the Lithuanian nation supports what politicians do over there now. Our nuclear power plant is no danger for Lithuania. We have been damaged by the Chernobyl catastrophe. Don’t we understand that a nuclear power plant has to be safe?” noted Alexander Lukashenko.

The president spoke in favor of building relations with Lithuania. “They are our neighbors. We cannot choose neighbors. The fact that we live together is god’s will. This is why we have to build relations with them. I think Valery Valeryevich [Baranovsky] understands perfectly well what should be done there and how these relations should be shaped,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

“Everything should be done in a transparent manner without giving in,” added the Belarusian leader.

Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei was present during the meeting. He pointed out that Valery Baranovsky had previously worked as a minister-counsellor in Lithuania and knew the situation in the country and many people. Apart from that, the new ambassador has accumulated considerable experience working as the head of the Foreign Policy Office in the Belarus President Administration.

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