Opinions & Interviews

“We are bound by economic interests. I should say that there are no unresolved issues between our countries. We have always been able to find mutually acceptable solutions to the difficult issues that sometimes arise. This is why today we can speak with confidence about a mature partnership between our nations. Much credit for this goes to our diplomatic missions in Kiev and Minsk,” the minister stressed.

Vladimir Makei said that the opening of the residential complex is a landmark event in the Belarusian-Ukrainian relations. “The event attests to the high level and long-term nature of the bilateral good-neighborly relations. It is symbolic that today’s ceremony coincides with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. Besides, this year we mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between our countries,” the Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

“The past 25 years were not the easiest ones. Still, the main thing, probably, is that we all, our countries realized that there is no other alternative than to build strong, sovereign states. We fully understand this,” Vladimir Makei stressed.

He added that Belarus and Ukraine are connected by many years of shared history and human contacts. “We have always been supporting each other as good neighbors. Today Minsk facilitates peaceful settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine,” the minister noted.

Vladimir Makei also commended the immense contribution of Valentin Velichko, who has been heading the Belarusian diplomatic mission in Ukraine for 15 years, to the development of the Belarusian-Ukrainian relations. “These years of the bilateral relations can be called without exaggeration the Epoch of Velichko. I specially asked him to stay in this office till the project is complete, because I was not sure that his successor would finish building this complex,” Vladimir Makei explained.

The minister gave special thanks to Kiev City Administration whose assistance helped Belarus to promptly implement this project. “If we had to rent housing here, in Kiev, this would mean that we are accidental partners, accidental fellow travelers. The fact that we have erected here a wonderful embassy building with a residential complex that will serve us for many decades makes it clear that we plan to stay here for long,” Vladimir Makei said.

“We have come to our sisterly Ukraine to strengthen our cooperation, our relations in all areas and fields. We have come, believe me, not with a fist behind the back, but with an outstretched hand of friendship, peace, accord and good will,” Vladimir Makei added.