MINSK, 6 February (BelTA) – The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that some evaluations in the joint report National Threat Assessment 2019 released by the State Security Department and the Intelligence Department of the Lithuanian Defense Ministry are groundless and excessively emotionally charged. Andrei Shuplyak, Deputy Head of the Information and Digital Diplomacy Office of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made a few statements in response to BelTA's request for comment about the document.
The official said: “It would be just another routine document if it did not draw so much attention to Belarus. Groundless and excessively emotional evaluations, the substitution of proofs based on facts with buzzwords of derogatory nature seem to have become a hallmark of individual Lithuanian politicians. In the run-up to multiple election campaigns, which are due to take place in Lithuania this spring, it is possible that some parties may gain something from driving a wedge into relations between the two countries and nations to the benefit of their own narrow-minded corporate interests and party interests.”
Andrei Shuplyak stressed that Belarus' policy towards Lithuania is well-intentioned and fully self-sustained. The policy stems from the belief that neighbors are chosen by god. “Our nations have lived, live, and will live next to each other, enriching each other through mutually beneficial economic cooperation, cultural interpenetration, and simply relations between individuals,” he noted.
“Lithuanian partners should understand and comprehend one absolute imperative of our country's foreign policy: threats to our neighbors will never originate in Belarus. We call upon Lithuanian politicians to reduce their belligerence and adopt a more peaceful attitude. Our region needs peace and accord, not hatred rousing,” concluded the representative of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Among other things the National Threat Assessment 2019 report mentions threats to national security, including military security, which may originate in Belarus. The report casts doubts on Belarus' ability to pursue a completely independent policy. Following the established trend, the report also criticizes the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant.
