MINSK, 22 January (BelTA) – U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo is expected to pay a visit to Belarus on 1 February, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Michael Pompeo was to pay a working visit to Belarus on 4 January 2020, but had to postpone it due to the situation around the U.S. Embassy in Iraq and the events that followed. Michael Pompeo was set to hold talks at the highest level, to meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei and to hold other events. It was expected that the parties were to review the full range of issues of Belarusian-American relations and the topic of regional security.
Vladimir Makei and Michael Pompeo had a phone conversation on 6 January. During the conversation Michael Pompeo explained why he had to postpone his visit to Belarus. The Belarusian side confirmed its readiness to receive the U.S. secretary of state on an agreed date and emphasized the importance of an open exchange of views on the development of bilateral relations, the situation in the region and the world.
While discussing the situation in the Middle East, Vladimir Makei condemned any actions violating the privileges and immunities of diplomatic missions provided by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Belarusian foreign minister noted that the Belarusian side calls on all the parties to show restraint and seek deescalation of tensions, and also urges to comply with the principles of international law in order to ensure sustainable international security in global and regional terms.
