Maksim Ryzhenkov. An archive photo
MINSK, 27 June (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has appointed Maksim Ryzhenkov Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, BelTA has learned.
Before the new appointment, Maksim Ryzhenkov was First Deputy Head of the Belarus President Administration.
“I know that all this time you felt very connected (and this is good) to your alma mater and your previous work [Maksim Ryzhenkov has extensive experience of working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs]. But this is not what I like about you. You are a tough, demanding person. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to be brought to its senses. I want to say it point-blank: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to be shaken up so that it gets its act together,” the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko demanded coordinating efforts with Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should do its work and fulfill the tasks that it should fulfill for the country. All the tasks,” said the Belarusian leader. “[You need to coordinate with] Snopkov [First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov who oversees relations with China] on China, and Krutoi [the new Head of the Belarus President Administration and former Ambassador to Russia Dmitry Krutoi] on Russia. The minister will oversee [cooperation with] distant countries (like India), the prime minister, too. This is the distant arc. Everything must converge in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the president noted.
The head of state emphasized that “no one should do the work for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and no one should pressure the minister and the ministry”. In this regard, he noted that given the personality of Maksim Ryzhenkov, such attempts will fail anyway. “This is also very important. We’ll discuss the rest. The ministry should get on the ball and start working.”
The president spoke separately about the ministry’s personnel: “Give everyone a chance. I know that the situation there is difficult. Give everyone [a chance], but those who do not want to work and those who will not hear me today, should not work there.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko demanded coordinating efforts with Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should do its work and fulfill the tasks that it should fulfill for the country. All the tasks,” said the Belarusian leader. “[You need to coordinate with] Snopkov [First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov who oversees relations with China] on China, and Krutoi [the new Head of the Belarus President Administration and former Ambassador to Russia Dmitry Krutoi] on Russia. The minister will oversee [cooperation with] distant countries (like India), the prime minister, too. This is the distant arc. Everything must converge in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the president noted.
The head of state emphasized that “no one should do the work for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and no one should pressure the minister and the ministry”. In this regard, he noted that given the personality of Maksim Ryzhenkov, such attempts will fail anyway. “This is also very important. We’ll discuss the rest. The ministry should get on the ball and start working.”
The president spoke separately about the ministry’s personnel: “Give everyone a chance. I know that the situation there is difficult. Give everyone [a chance], but those who do not want to work and those who will not hear me today, should not work there.”
