Opinions & Interviews

Total openness of negotiations between Belarus president, high-ranking U.S. diplomat noted

MINSK, 17 September (BelTA) – Negotiations with United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale proceeded in an atmosphere of absolute openness and trust, BelTA learned from Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei after Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with the high-ranking U.S. diplomat on 17 September.

The meeting of David Hale and Aleksandr Lukashenko lasted for over one hour. The U.S. diplomat also met with the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs. “We’ve discussed a broad spectrum of bilateral relations, including the most sensitive ones – political ones, human rights, and economic dialogue matters. I have to say that today’s talks took place in an atmosphere of absolute openness and trust,” the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs stressed.

In his words, the sides discussed not only the current state of bilateral relations but their prospects. Concrete areas where a new level of cooperation can be reached were discussed.

“The visit is taking place in an important period for the history of Belarusian-American relations. The fact that Mister Hale is in Belarus is important by itself. It is the first time such a high-ranking official from the U.S. Department of State has come to our country in the last 25 years,” Vladimir Makei pointed out.

“We have a feeling that the mutual representation of the two countries in Washington and Minsk at the level of charge d'affaires ad interim does not live up to today’s reality and requires correction. A higher level of representation could more effectively realize the opportunities that open up before our countries,” Vladimir Makei said.

Vladimir Makei once again remarked he was satisfied with the nature of the talks. Among other things the sides discussed a number of matters relating to interaction within the framework of international organizations with regard to the situation in some regions where tensions and confrontations are observed.

“I am grateful to Mister Hale for an absolutely sincere and open exchange of opinions. It seems to us there is a mutual interest in further advancing and developing the relations. We are grateful to our American friends for this interest. We are ready to continue persistently stepping up our cooperation for the sake of making the process irreversible,” the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs concluded.

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