MINSK, 23 March (BelTA) – On 22 March Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Vladimir Makei had a telephone conversation with Derek Chollet, a senior policy advisor to the Secretary of State at the rank of Under Secretary, on the initiative of the USA, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The parties discussed topical issues of the bilateral agenda, including the exchange of ambassadors. Vladimir Makei informed his interlocutor about the process of selecting a candidate for the post of Ambassador of Belarus to the United States.
Derek Chollet, in turn, confirmed that the appointed U.S. ambassador is ready to arrive in Belarus.
The parties agreed on the need to maintain a dialogue, while acknowledging significant disagreements in bilateral relations.
In connection with a number of concerns expressed by Derek Chollet, Vladimir Makei urged the U.S. side to objectively assess the situation in Belarus, and emphasized the counter-productiveness of attempts to exert pressure on the sovereign state.
In this context, the minister drew attention to several carbon-copy statements by the U.S. side. Vladimir Makei also warned the interlocutor against attempts to influence the work of the law enforcement or judicial system of Belarus.
The parties agreed that the mutually respectful dialogue maintained by Belarus and the United States in recent years helped achieve significant progress in bilateral relations.