MOSCOW, 2 September (BelTA) - Russia condemns attempts by certain countries to pressure the legitimate authorities of Belarus, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov told the media after the meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei in Moscow on 2 September, BelTA has learned.
“This is probably the first time Belarus has faced a serious threat of destabilization, which is taking place with the most energetic intervention from outside. We condemn the pressure that a number of foreign states are now trying to exert on the legitimate authorities of Belarus, openly supporting the opposition dissatisfied with the results of the presidential election,” Sergei Lavrov said. The Russian minister of foreign affairs stressed that Russia cannot but be concerned about the recent developments in Belarus, since Minsk is a strategic ally for Russia. “We are building the common Union State. We have been fruitfully cooperating in a variety of areas, including participation in multilateral associations in the post-Soviet space: EAEU, CSTO, CIS,” Sergei Lavrov said.
He stated that from the very beginning Russia had taken a balanced position with regard to the events in Belarus. “We have reaffirmed it today. As Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed in his recent interview, we consider the presidential election in Belarus to be successful. We expect the situation to normalize as soon as possible through a dialogue with respect for the current Constitution of Belarus and the rule of law. We consider unacceptable any interference in internal affairs, imposition of annoying mediation services contrary to the sovereign will of Minsk and the Belarusian leadership. It is of fundamental importance to let the Belarusian people deal with the situation independently,” Sergei Lavrov said.
Sergei Lavrov confirmed the previously stated position that Russia views the initiative of Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko on a constitutional reform to be very promising. “We believe, and our contacts with Belarusian friends confirm it, that such a political process can become a useful platform for a national dialogue, help overcome the current situation and ensure normalization of the situation, stabilization of society,” Sergei Lavrov said.
