MINSK, 18 January (BelTA) – Belarus has always been a good neighbor for Lithuania, Lithuanian poet and public figure Erika Svencioniene told the media in Minsk on 18 January, BelTA has learned.
She is heading a delegation of representatives of Lithuanian civil society that came to visit Belarus for a few days. They have already met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei and are scheduled to meet with representatives of the Belarusian civil society and political parties.
We are proud that you have kept your country intact
Belarus and Lithuania share history and this should matter, Erika Svencioniene said. She noted with regret that the relations between the countries had deteriorated "due to the poor policy of Lithuania."
"I want to get things back to the way they were. Your country has always been a good neighbor for us. It's a pity that the relations have gone downhill. Therefore, we decided that we, the people, have the right to visit you and voice our opinion. We wish everyone well, we wish to live amicably," the public figure said.
We ask you to learn from Lithuania's mistakes
She said that Lithuanians do not like the "dirty politics" against Belarus. "Ordinary people in Lithuania understand that that the Lithuanian government is doing the USA's bidding. Of course, we see it. We are proud that you have kept your country intact, kept the assets intact," Erika Svencioniene said.According to the representative of the Lithuanian delegation, Belarus has preserved manufacturing industry and jobs. Lithuania failed to do so. With European integration all state property fell into someone else's hands, she explained.
“As long as it is all yours, you feel confident. Our healthcare and education are just partially state-owned. Ordinary people are struggling to survive. You need to look into the mistakes our people have made. Indeed, there are some good aspects, but one should always learn from mistakes. I ask you to learn from our mistakes and preserve your beautiful state,” she said.
We have come to extend a hand of friendship
Member of the delegation, Lithuanian lawyer and public figure Jonas Kovalskis said that he studies color revolutions and knows very well what happened in Belarus in 2020.
“We have come from Lithuania to extend a hand of friendship to your people. Our public, our people understand what is going on in your country and what policy our government is pursuing. We do not approve of it,” said Jonas Kovalskis.
He stressed that Lithuanian people remember friendly and good neighborly relations with Belarusians and would like to get them back.
