Iraq, Russia, Saudi Arabia: Which countries agree to present credentials to Lukashenka
On May 13, Alyaksandr Lukashenka received letters of credence from ambassadors of Iraq, Nicaragua, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone during the ceremony at the Palace of Independence in Minsk, his press service reports.
In his welcoming speech, the politician told the foreign diplomats about celebrating the latest Victory Day, issues raised at February’s Belarusian People’s Congress and the ongoing process of the constitutional reform, which Lukashenka believes to be ‘open and widely discussed’. According to him, Belarus is always ready for a ‘respectful, honest and equal dialogue’ even in ‘difficult conditions’ that the country is facing.
“I hope that you will offer interesting ideas for the further expansion of cooperation, and share with us the positive experience of your countries,” he said.
Describing the development of the relations with Russia, Lukashenka stressed that the dialogue on the enhancement of integration was ‘in full swing’, emphasizing that Belarus and Russia are not building their relations against anybody.
“But if someone dares to challenge us – either Russia or Belarus, or both Russia and Belarus – you know that we will respond,” he added.
The envoys of Greece, France and Luxembourg were also invited to present their credentials, Franak Vyachorka, Tsikhanouskaya’s adviser on international affairs, reported earlier with reference to their own sources.
“The fact of submitting credentials by Western ambassadors can be used by propaganda; it will send the wrong signal to Belarusians fighting for freedom,” he said.
Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who is currently visiting Greece, was about to ask its top officials not to hand over the credentials to Lukashenka.
belsat.eu
