MINSK, 11 September (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has given certain instructions on moving towards full normalization of relations with the United States, BelTA learned from Belarus’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations Valentin Rybakov after he took part in a meeting of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko with the U.S. delegation led by U.S. Presidential Envoy John Coale.
“We held a thorough conversation with the U.S. delegation and discussed a dozen issues concerning our relations. I specifically invited you so that we once again identify the areas we need to work on from this whole range of issues,” the head of state said at the beginning of the meeting. “Since you are directly involved in this – and your role remains crucial, and I intend to keep it that way – I believe that you, first and foremost, must know and understand what direction to take. You are aware of the overall situation, as yesterday you interpreted during these negotiations, very lengthy ones. But I would like to emphasize once again the main directions we should pursue.”
Following the report to the head of state, Valentin Rybakov told journalists: “The president gave very specific and clear instructions on how we should proceed to implement everything that was discussed at the meeting of the president with the U.S. delegation. What we need to do in order to move towards full normalization of relations between Belarus and the United States in all areas. Politics, economy, trade, and others.”
“Specific instructions have been given. We will carry out all the instructions. We will do everything to move towards full normalization of relations,” Valentin Rybakov added.
He noted that over the years the sides have accumulated various issues that require urgent solutions. “Because they simply prevent us from moving forward and developing our relations,” the diplomat said. “Due to the strange, to put it mildly, wrong policy of the previous U.S. administration we have accumulated a number of sanction-related issues. Issues that hinder us, blocking the development of political, economic, trade relations and others.”
“The first step in this area has been made by the American side. A decision has been made and announced – lifting sanctions from Belavia. It is a small part of what we still have to resolve in the nearest future, I hope. But this step is important. It shows everyone, first of all our neighbors, the European Union, that we simply need to talk, we need to maintain a dialogue. We need to try to resolve the accumulated matters. In such a way that these solutions are acceptable to all parties,” Valentin Rybakov said.
He expressed confidence that the sides are making mutual steps forward. The agreed decisions have been adopted and the necessary actions have been taken. “Now we will simply work out a program of next steps, a sequence of these steps in order to resolve all the remaining issues,” the diplomat said.
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