Opinions & Interviews

VATICAN, 21 May (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko explained his motives for visiting Italy and the Vatican in an interview with journalists, BelTA informs.

“Italy has always supported us the most difficult times. Italy and the Vatican (and I thanked them for it) have done a lot to establish normal relations between Belarus and the European Union. We have spent a lot of time on it, especially with the President of Italy. And this is my reason for visiting this blessed and sacred land. I just have to thank these people for the understanding of the events happening in Belarus and for the normalization of these relations,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

Speaking about the prospects of developing Belarus-Italy cooperation, the President said that they are very good. Positive statements from the leadership of Italy testify to this fact. At present there are proposals and a mutual eagerness to resume previous arrangements of the two sides. The establishment of an Italian industrial park near Brest is one of them.

The President said that Belarus is also interested in Italy’s experience in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises which play a crucial role in the economy. “There was a long talk (with Italy President Sergio Mattarella – BelTA’s note), and I think that it was a success as far as the prospects are concerned. I am convinced that Belarusian people will see these prospects very soon,” the Belarusian leader concluded.