Photo courtesy of Belarus' Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MINSK, 31 January (BelTA) – The recent presidential election in Belarus was one of the key topics of the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna on 30 January, BelTA learned from Belarus’ Permanent Mission to the OSCE.
Belarus’ delegation introduced a separate item into the agenda of the meeting to inform the attendees about the election outcomes and to push back against the attacks of representatives of Western countries.
It was emphasized that 484 foreign observers from 52 countries monitored the presidential election in Belarus. Taking part in the election observation were representatives of international organizations and integration associations (CIS, CSTO, Union State, SCO, CICA, Non-Aligned Movement, Pan-African Parliament). The observers unanimously recognized Belarus’ election as open and democratic and their findings were based on hard evidence.
“That said, it is regrettable to see an outpouring of baseless criticism of Belarus by certain Western countries that use cliched labels and threats of sanctions. Belarus is aware of the statements made by Western countries in connection with the election and is not surprised by them. We have to say that this statement deliberately distorts the facts and disregards the objective reality in Belarus and the world. At the same time, the collective West has its own systemic problems, growing internal discord, degradation of its positions in the international arena,” the Belarusian delegation noted.
“The objective reality of recent decades shows that such a stance can only lead to the further deterioration of relations with Belarus. At the same time, re-engagement could benefit first of all the donors of this statement, because rapprochement can help address common problems in Europe and the world,” the Belarusian diplomats noted.
Belarus’ Permanent Mission to the OSCE in Vienna drew attention to the striking difference between the assessments made by the observers from more than 50 countries, including Western nations, who visited Belarus, and the pre-prepared EU shibboleths. Actually, under the influence of some signatories, the ODIHR decided not to participate in the observation of the election in Belarus.
“Belarusians voted to continue the policy of building a strong and prosperous state and pursuing their own model of a modern democratic civil society that is consistent with their history, traditions and mentality. We would like to once again draw the attention of our counterparts to the fact that the mounting sanctions that have proved to be futile and counterproductive will not affect the course chosen by the citizens of Belarus. If some countries of the political West are truly interested in getting their message through, we kindly recommend them to change their tone from arrogant to calm and respectful,” the Belarusian diplomats noted.
“Speakers who are convinced of their absolute rightness can certainly continue their meaningless and futile work. The unbiased and bona fide voice of friends is always clearly heard in Belarus,” Belarus’ Permanent Mission emphasized.
The Belarusian delegation condemned the continued unfounded criticism of Belarus and threats of sanctions by certain Western countries. At the same time, the delegation reaffirmed Minsk's readiness to engage in a mutually respectful dialogue.
The delegations of Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan spoke in support of Belarus at the event.
In contrast to the clichéd statements of Western representatives, delegations of friendly countries warmly congratulated Belarus on the successful holding of the election, highlighted the high assessment of the election campaign by international observers from the CIS, SCO, CSTO and other international organizations, as well as independent observers, and pointed to the compliance of the election with national legislation and international standards.
Belarus’ delegation introduced a separate item into the agenda of the meeting to inform the attendees about the election outcomes and to push back against the attacks of representatives of Western countries.
It was emphasized that 484 foreign observers from 52 countries monitored the presidential election in Belarus. Taking part in the election observation were representatives of international organizations and integration associations (CIS, CSTO, Union State, SCO, CICA, Non-Aligned Movement, Pan-African Parliament). The observers unanimously recognized Belarus’ election as open and democratic and their findings were based on hard evidence.
“That said, it is regrettable to see an outpouring of baseless criticism of Belarus by certain Western countries that use cliched labels and threats of sanctions. Belarus is aware of the statements made by Western countries in connection with the election and is not surprised by them. We have to say that this statement deliberately distorts the facts and disregards the objective reality in Belarus and the world. At the same time, the collective West has its own systemic problems, growing internal discord, degradation of its positions in the international arena,” the Belarusian delegation noted.
“The objective reality of recent decades shows that such a stance can only lead to the further deterioration of relations with Belarus. At the same time, re-engagement could benefit first of all the donors of this statement, because rapprochement can help address common problems in Europe and the world,” the Belarusian diplomats noted.
Belarus’ Permanent Mission to the OSCE in Vienna drew attention to the striking difference between the assessments made by the observers from more than 50 countries, including Western nations, who visited Belarus, and the pre-prepared EU shibboleths. Actually, under the influence of some signatories, the ODIHR decided not to participate in the observation of the election in Belarus.
“Belarusians voted to continue the policy of building a strong and prosperous state and pursuing their own model of a modern democratic civil society that is consistent with their history, traditions and mentality. We would like to once again draw the attention of our counterparts to the fact that the mounting sanctions that have proved to be futile and counterproductive will not affect the course chosen by the citizens of Belarus. If some countries of the political West are truly interested in getting their message through, we kindly recommend them to change their tone from arrogant to calm and respectful,” the Belarusian diplomats noted.
“Speakers who are convinced of their absolute rightness can certainly continue their meaningless and futile work. The unbiased and bona fide voice of friends is always clearly heard in Belarus,” Belarus’ Permanent Mission emphasized.
The Belarusian delegation condemned the continued unfounded criticism of Belarus and threats of sanctions by certain Western countries. At the same time, the delegation reaffirmed Minsk's readiness to engage in a mutually respectful dialogue.
The delegations of Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan spoke in support of Belarus at the event.
In contrast to the clichéd statements of Western representatives, delegations of friendly countries warmly congratulated Belarus on the successful holding of the election, highlighted the high assessment of the election campaign by international observers from the CIS, SCO, CSTO and other international organizations, as well as independent observers, and pointed to the compliance of the election with national legislation and international standards.
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