This is stipulated in an American statement after the results of the visit of the US inter-ministerial delegation. It also reads that the USA gives priority to the strengthening of democratic standards and support for civil society.The statement points out that during the visit of the US delegation to Belarus, the parties discussed ways to boost bilateral co-operation in areas of mutual interest.
In his turn, Thomas O. Melia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, said that the United States will welcome closer ties with the Belarusian government and the broader public. In his words, several events will soon be held between official representatives of the two countries. These will be at the UN General Assembly in New York, the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw and the OSCE Ministerial Conference in Switzerland.
Thomas O. Melia noted that the visit of the inter-ministerial delegation did not result in any changes in bilateral relations. “No specific decisions have been made. The visit has marked the resumption of bilateral contacts, and we hope that this trend will remain in place,” he noted. “Our position is the same. We are interested in helping Belarus strengthen its sovereignty, stability and well-being. The objective of the visit was to discuss further collaboration in this field.”
Thomas O. Melia also added that America is satisfied that Belarus agreed to welcome on its territory the meeting aiming to seek ways to settle the Ukrainian crisis.
Moreover, Scott Rauland, the Chargé d’Affaires of the USA to Belarus, noted at the briefing, organised by the American Embassy, that during the meeting of representatives of the delegation of the Defence Ministry, the USA underlined its appreciation to the Belarusian side for participation in such international treaties, as the Open Skies Treaty, as well as in the Partnership for Peace programme.
The Assistant Administrator of the US Agency for International Development, Paige Alexander, spoke about the meeting at the Belarusian Education Ministry, where she said the parties discussed joint projects and programmes for vulnerable groups of people, children with special needs, and inclusive education.
