MINSK, 26 January (BelTA) - Belarus invited OSCE/ODIHR observers to come to the country to observe the presidential election, but they refused to come under a vain pretext, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko told the media in Minsk on 26 January, BelTA has learned.
Commenting on the topic of democracy in the understanding of some countries and, in particular, election observation by the OSCE/ODIHR, the head of state said: “They talk about some kind of democracy, human rights, electoral process - they teach us. We, together with [Russian Foreign Minister Sergey] Lavrov, ask a simple question: show us these criteria at least before the process, before the elections. Show us these requirements. They have invented some ideas and keep talking about the topic.”
“We invited them: “Please, come.” They said: “You invited us late”. Where is it written that we should invite you yesterday and not tomorrow or today? You just didn't want to come. That is why you didn't go. Why are you yelling that we didn't invite you? We haven't banned anyone to enter Belarus,” the head of state stressed, adding that citizens of about 90 countries have the right to enter Belarus vise-free, and offered to name another country that demonstrates such openness. “You won't,” the Belarusian leader said.
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