Updated at 13:53,23-12-2024

Foreign Minister Comments On U.S. Ambassador’s Plans To Work In Belarus

TUT.BY / BelarusFeed

Foreign Minister Comments On U.S. Ambassador’s Plans To Work In Belarus
Minister Of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei
“We are somewhat surprised that the appointed ambassador, several times visiting Vilnius, Warsaw and some other countries, makes certain statements, at the same time, our partners do not give a clear answer as to in what status the ambassador intends to arrive in Belarus. They only talk about their intention to establish direct contacts at the official level,” said Vladimir Makei.

According to the official, the Belarusian side is interested in the restoration of direct contacts.

“We are ready to receive the American ambassador at any time, but we want to have a clear and understandable perspective of our further interaction in all areas with our American partners. We are interested in normal, equal relations with the United States in all spheres and areas. But we do not accept certain methods of trying to put pressure on Belarus, no matter who they come from, and the events of recent days really make us re-analyze the state of our relations with the world’s largest power and see what and who is behind the organization of a coup d’etat attempt in Belarus, as it was said through the special services,” he stressed.

He noted that the Foreign Ministry will react appropriately to the situation.

“But I will repeat once again – we would like to thoroughly study all aspects in order to give an appropriate assessment in a reasoned and balanced manner. It is clear that in order to come to Belarus, any citizen needs a visa. Therefore, we would like to have complete clarity in what status the appointed ambassador intends to work in Belarus, if she is going to come and make statements about the illegitimacy of the regime, then there is no point in doing this. I think that in this case she will sit in the embassy and do nothing and will not be able to work effectively, including establishing direct contacts between the structures of Belarus and the United States,” added the minister.

On 16 April, in an interview with the U.S. National Public Radio, responding to a question about her plans to come to Minsk, Julie Fisher said that she did not have a visa. “Since the new year, I hoped to arrive in Minsk. I was approved by the U.S. Senate at the end of December. But so far I have not been able to come to Minsk. The United States, for its part, is ready. I was ready, and we expect appropriate actions from the Belarusian side,” explained Fischer.

On 19 April, Julie Fischer, at a meeting with ex-presidential candidate and democratic opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya in Vilnius, stated that the United States is renewing sanctions against Belneftekhim and eight other Belarusian state-owned enterprises.