MINSK, 24 September (BelTA) – Attempts of individual Western countries to challenge the legitimacy of the head of state in no way reflect the opinion of an overwhelming majority of the international community, BelTA learned from the statement released by the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to a reaction of a number of other countries to the Belarus president's inauguration.
The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that Aleksandr Lukashenko was inaugurated as the president of Belarus in line with the Belarusian legislation on 23 September. “As the sole source of power and the bearer of sovereignty, the Belarusian nation has made its choice. The fact is of crucial importance. Some procedures of external legitimization that have been invented by certain actors are null from all points of view. We've been an internationally recognized independent state for a long time and have the same rights as every other country in the international scene,” the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes.
The source reminded that the prohibition against interference in internal affairs is one of the cornerstones of international law in line with Article 2 of the UN Charter. “This is why Belarusians elect their head of state, the parliament, and municipal councils of deputies on their own and without external interference. The Belarusian nation needs no ‘legitimization' of its authority from self-proclaimed optional ‘legitimizers'. It is a contrived and artificial problem. Attempts of individual Western countries to challenge the legitimacy of the head of state in no way reflect the opinion of an overwhelming majority of the international community,” the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was particularly surprised by actions of Ukrainian neighbors, who “don't even try to disguise the lack of independence in making foreign policy decisions and keep making statements that contain their allegedly ‘sophisticated' evaluations of our domestic situation”. “It seems that ‘learning how to teach' is the key result of Ukrainian-European cooperation so far. Statements are made by a representative of the government of the neighboring country, which Belarus sincerely and disinterestedly supports by maintaining an absolutely independent and self-sufficing position. Although apparently the Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs does not think it is important for his country. But we will continue supporting the brotherly people of Ukraine,” the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted.
The source stressed that Belarus has never interfered and does not intend to interfere in internal affairs of other countries. “We expect our foreign partners to reciprocate. Respect, equality, accommodation of each other's interests are the main principles and priorities that underpin the normal coexistence of countries in the spirit of good neighborhood and partnership in the interests of all citizens,” the statement reads. “Belarus has never sought and does not seek a confrontation. We are in favor of a dialogue. Moreover, we've repeatedly stated at various levels that we are interested in advancing mutually beneficial constructive cooperation with all the international partners.”
