MINSK, 10 February (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has given an instruction to strengthen partnerships in international organizations in order to counter sanctions, Yuri Ambrazevich told reporters after the head of state approved his appointment as deputy minister of foreign affairs (he previously worked as permanent representative of Belarus to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva), BelTA has learned.
“We will keep focusing on defending Belarus' interests, promoting our independence and sovereignty. Our Western counterparts are using the human rights agenda to put pressure on our country. We clearly understand why this is being done and how to respond to it. Today, the head of state has set tasks to strengthen partnerships in international organizations and with secretariats of international organizations in order to fend off sanctions. We need to use legal instruments to push for decisions in our favor. I think we have to work harder on it. We will remain actively involved in this work and will provide assistance to our ministries, all those who are directly affected by these problems,” Yuri Ambrazevich said.
He noted that international organizations offer an opportunity to demonstrate that Belarus is a totally independent and sovereign country: “We are perceived there as an absolutely independent, self-sufficient state. And interaction with representatives of Belarus is absolutely multifaceted.”
Yet, political issues have an impact on bilateral relations with Western states, the diplomat said. “Nevertheless, there is a certain professional code of conduct there. It is surprising but people who are forced to harshly criticize our country from the UN rostrum for political reasons, come up, shake hands, and we continue to interact,” Yuri Ambrazevich said.
He noted that countries often depend on each other at the UN and other international organizations; everything is done largely on the basis of solid agreements and understanding of the political moment.
