MINSK, 20 September (BelTA) – It is advisable to reinstall the ambassadors as soon as possible in order to explore the full potential of Belarusian-American relations, BelTA learned from Anatoly Glaz, Head of the Information and Digital Diplomacy Office, Press Secretary of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 20 September.
The official pointed out that appointing an ambassador is the sovereign right of every country. It is unlikely that special consultations or additional meetings will be needed for it. “In our opinion, it is advisable to return the ambassadors as soon as possible in order to explore the full potential of the bilateral relations,” Anatoly Glaz said.
In his words, the recently made decision to return the ambassadors does not indicate the ambassadors have already been appointed and will start working tomorrow. “We are talking about an important political decision of the sides – to send extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors to the capital cities of the two countries. The step allows launching the procedure of selection and approval of candidates in both capitals. And these procedures will certainly take some time. It is difficult to predict how much time will be needed,” the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said. “Yet it is important to understand that political will to make it happen is available, this is why the matter is more of a technical one now.”
Anatoly Glaz went on saying that the decision to choose and appoint a candidate for the ambassador's office will be made faster in Belarus than in the USA since intrastate procedures are simpler in the republic.
The decision of the USA and Belarus to restore diplomatic missions to the level of ambassadors was revealed when Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale on 17 September.
After the meeting Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said that the mutual representation of the two countries in Washington and Minsk at the level of charge d'affaires ad interim does not live up to today's reality and requires correction. “A higher level of representation could more effectively realize the opportunities that open up before our countries,” he said.
David Hale described the decision to reinstall ambassadors as a historic moment in American-Belarusian relations. “I am glad to participate in the declaration of our readiness to exchange ambassadors as the next step in normalizing our relations,” he said.
