Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 23 March (BelTA) – Belarus is ready for the closest cooperation with Poland, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Witold Waszczykowski on 23 March, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian head of state expressed hope that the visit of Witold Waszczykowski to Belarus will give a boost to the bilateral relations. “We should not be looking at each other over the fence. We have always been able to understand each other, and I would like it to remain so,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that the countries share a common history. Many people with Belarusian roots live in Poland, same as there are many ethnic Poles living in Belarus. The head of state noted that people of all ethnic background enjoy equal rights in Belarus, and he personally pays much attention to this matter. “I must do everything for people to live a normal life. My position is firm, and nobody will dissuade me,” the President emphasized. As for religious issues, there is nothing to reproach the Belarusian authorities for. Everyone can choose a religion he wants. “I treat everyone equally, and will continue to do so,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

If Poland welcomes such an approach, the sides will quickly settle the issues that are on today’s agenda or that may arise in the future, Alexander Lukashenko said.

For his part, Witold Waszczykowski noted that the new Polish government believes it is not normal that Belarus and Poland have not been talking to each other for many years, keeping in mind that they are neighbors. “This is why we have decided to start a dialogue without any preconditions to settle all the issues of our neighborly relations as soon as possible,” he said.