MINSK, 12 September (BelTA) – It is time to normalize relations with Turkmenistan. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement on 12 September as he appointed Vyacheslav Beskosty new ambassador of Belarus to Turkmenistan, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “We've always had excellent relations with Turkmenistan. As for the problems that exist now – problems exist and will always exist in relations with any country – it is necessary to arrange meetings with the officials in charge of construction, primarily the construction of the Garlyk mining and processing factory, in order to recover from the situation decently. It is not good when we start taking our debates with a friendly nation to court.”
“The fact that the enterprise stays idle is not good either. It should have started mining potash salt a long time ago, selling it and earning huge revenues. They can easily earn 1.5 billion per year. The market is close. This is why you should have a word with [Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Mikhail] Myasnikovich, who is personally taking care of the problem. You should negotiate with those, who built [the Garlyk mining and processing factory], clarify once again what problems exist and how we are going to resolve them. It is the main issue on the way to normal relations. I think you should get down to it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
It was noted that in any case none of the other potential partners would be able to offer the terms that Belarus can offer to Turkmenistan. “I think we should just resume these talks without berating each other. If that fails, we will find other ways,” the president added.
Aleksandr Lukashenko wondered how well Vyacheslav Beskosty knows Turkmenistan and the existing problems. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei explained that the diplomat had been in charge of overseeing this direction of the diplomatic service as a deputy head of the CIS Countries Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Before that Vyacheslav Beskosty worked for a long time in Nigeria with good results. Vladimir Makei said: “He practically established the foundation for our cooperation there at a most difficult time. We hope that with his diplomatic experience he will be able to organize work in Turkmenistan in the direction we need.”
