Opinions & Interviews
MFA: Official Minsk calls on Lithuania to return to constructive cooperation
MINSK, 26 September (BelTA) - Official Minsk calls on Lithuania to step back from the brink of the abyss and return to constructive cooperation before it is too late, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maksim Ryzhenkov said in an article published by SB. Belarus Segodnya newspaper, BelTA learned.
"Belarusians are very patient and friendly people. There is a clear understanding in Minsk that it is necessary to step back from the brink of the abyss and return to constructive cooperation, before it is too late. Moreover, the Lithuanian side needs to take these steps today, because in many areas both in the economy, logistics and in the field of interpersonal contacts, we can simply approach the point of no return. History will not forgive us for this," the minister said in the article .
Maksim Ryzhenkov noted that Minsk has repeatedly conveyed a message to the Lithuanian side that is is ready for consultations with Vilnius on the restoration of normal good-neighborly interaction. "We are ready to resume contacts between the border and special services, sectoral departments, the ministries of foreign affairs. We can start working through MPs, any authorized Lithuanian delegations. We are ready to develop a roadmap to unblock cooperation in certain areas, on the principles of respect for the sovereignty and independence of Belarus and its right to its own path of development in cooperation with partners," he said.
The minister also emphasized that Belarusians and Lithuanians have nothing to fight over in their common history, either from the times of living together in the same state at different stages and up to the present day. "Indeed, at the end of the 20th century, the foreign policy priorities of our countries diverged. At the same time, this did not prevent us from building relations on the principles of respect for the right of each state to accede to international political, economic and defensive unions, without violating the atmosphere of good-neighborliness and trust," the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs said.
Belarus continues to consistently adhere to this position in bilateral relations today. "However, the politicians in power in Vilnius have chosen, either on their own or at the behest of third parties, a different path, the goal of which is to change Belarus’ political course. Obviously, this goal is absolutely unattainable, since it does not have the main component - the support of the Belarusian people. At the same time, Lithuania itself bears huge expenses as it continues this senseless confrontation," Maksim Ryzhenkov noted.
According to him, the annual direct losses of the Lithuanian economy from the severance of ties with Belarus are estimated at almost $1 billion: "This is not the limit! Among the most significant consequences are a catastrophic blow to the transit industry of Lithuania, the Klaipeda port and Lithuanian Railways, a reduction in Lithuanian exports, a sharp deterioration in the economic situation of enterprises that worked in cooperation with Belarusian partners in various industries, and the loss of the tourism business."
Taking a deeper look, we see that the losses of ordinary Lithuanians are much higher. "Will Lithuanians be affected by the supplies of fuel pellets, firewood, fertilizers, oil products, food, and medicines at reasonable prices which are in demand, especially in the regions? It is no secret that many residents of Lithuania, including those who are not so well-off, have greatly benefited from the visa waiver program by making simple purchases in the frontier regions of Belarus. Isn't it the main reason, along with the truth about our country, why the Lithuanian authorities make so many efforts to close border crossings, reduce bus traffic," the minister said.
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