Aleksandr Lukashenko and Silvio Berlusconi
MINSK, 30 April (BelTA) – "I want Europeans to understand that we won’t do anything specifically for certain events," Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said to his Lithuanian counterpart Dalia Grybauskaitė in 2009. This conversation took place during the Belarusian leader’s visit to Lithuania. It is impossible to imagine such a scenario nowadays, but back then, relations between Belarus and EU countries experienced a genuine thaw. This and much more is covered in the new episode of BelTA's YouTube project “How It Was. DOC”.
In 2009, Aleksandr Lukashenko made several visits to European countries, including Italy, the Vatican, and Lithuania. His meeting with Pope Benedict XVI was particularly warm. The president spoke with the Pontiff privately, but the most touching moment of the visit, an exchange of gifts, was captured by journalists.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. Their conversation took place in the Vatican Library of the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in the Vatican, April 2009
The Pope gifted the president a commemorative medal to mark their meeting. Aleksandr Lukashenko’s gift was equally symbolic. The head of state presented the Pope with an icon by a Belarusian master. The president’s youngest son Nikolai gave the Pontiff two gifts: a silver souvenir coin featuring the Cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk and his alphabet book.
In 2009, Aleksandr Lukashenko met twice with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The leaders had much to discuss, including overcoming the global financial crisis, advancing Belarus-EU dialogue, and Belarus’ participation in the Eastern Partnership initiative.
Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Silvio Berlusconi in Rome, Italy. Their discussion lasted over three hours, far longer than the scheduled time, April 2009
Aleksandr Lukashenko also visited Moscow, Kiev and Vilnius, making 2009 a busy year in terms of diplomacy.
Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Dmitry Medvedev at the Gorki country residence, April 2009
Aleksandr Lukashenko and Dmitry Medvedev attended the final stage of the Zapad-2009 operational-strategic exercise in Baranovichi District, September 2009
Aleksandr Lukashenko and Dalia Grybauskaitė held a one-on-one meeting in Vilnius, September 2009
Aleksandr Lukashenko and Viktor Yushchenko met Kiev, November 2009
Moreover, 2009 marked a significant and memorable date in Belarusian history: the 65th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from Nazi occupation. At the military parade to commemorate this occasion, the president spoke about peace, as always. "There should be no superpowers in the world that have granted themselves the right to dictate how sovereign and independent states should live. Every nation, every country has the right to choose its own path of development. This is a fundamental principle of international relations," Aleksandr Lukashenko stated at the parade.
Aleksandr Lukashenko delivered a speech at the parade to commemorate Independence Day and the 65th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from Nazi occupation, 3 July 2009
Following the meeting dedicated to the 65th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from Nazi occupation and Independence Day, Aleksandr Lukashenko participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Victory Square, 2 July 2009
2009 was filled with many other notable and significant events. For more details, please watch the latest episode of our YouTube project “How IT Was. DOC.”
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