MINSK, 6 April (BelTA) – Belarus will not turn a blind eye to destructive actions from any side and will respond adequately. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei made the statement after the head of state hosted a government conference on 6 April to discuss the optimization of the network of Belarusian diplomatic missions abroad, BelTA has learned.
Speaking about the aggravation of Belarusian-Polish relations, Vladimir Makei stressed: “You know the prehistory. We didn't initiate the aggravation of our interstate relations. Contrariwise, we've always been in favor of developing our relations on a constructive, equal basis.”
“Despite our requests connected with destructive activities of several individuals, who are in Poland and some Baltic states, we have not received a constructive response from our partners,” the minister of foreign affairs continued. “This is why we had to take certain drastic steps relating to the expulsion of diplomats from Brest and Grodno.”
“I cannot comprehend how one can arrange events in a school relating to the glorification of the ‘cursed soldiers', events that run contrary to our laws. They may be viewed as heroes over there but over here they are criminals and should be duly punished. This is why the criminal cases that have been opened against several Belarusian citizens stem from concrete reasons. We have concrete proof of their crimes. What our partners are trying to present in several international organizations as the oppression of the Polish minority in Belarus is absolutely untrue,” Vladimir Makei said.
The official went on saying: “We fully observe all our international commitments in this sphere. Moreover, today the head of state stressed that these commitments must not be violated in any fashion. Everything will proceed in line with international obligations, in line with our laws.”
The minister of foreign affairs stressed that the Belarusian side is interested in normal and constructive relations with Poland and other neighboring countries. “But it doesn't mean we will turn a blind eye to the destructive actions that this or that side undertakes against Belarus. Rest assured we will always find an adequate answer to those,” Vladimir Makei stated.
The official noted that today the president was made familiar with and backed concrete measures meant to further advance relations with neighboring countries, including with Poland, but bearing in mind the need to develop these relations on a constructive and equal basis and with respect to domestic laws of Belarus and international commitments. “We are interested in advancing trade and economic cooperation. Today the possible return of ambassadors to our countries was discussed. But it is understandable that in order to do that, we need serious reasons that allow all sides to hope that it will lead to a calmer development of the situation and its transition to a normal discussion,” Vladimir Makei noted.
The official stressed Belarus' interest in advancing constructive relations with Poland.
