Addressing the diplomats, Mr. Lukashenko pointed out a number of aspects of the so-called economic diplomacy. “Belarus is keen to expand foreign trade-economic ties,” stressed the President. “Our government bodies and the business community are ready to consider new ideas, projects and initiatives of yours. We are focused on the enhancement of mutually beneficial contacts with traditional economic partners and on the penetration of new sales markets for the diversification of our exports and relations in general,” noted Mr. Lukashenko.
According to the Belarusian Head of State, this is the pillar of the economic stability and higher living standards of people.
“Our country has a reputation of an active adherer of preserving stability and security in the world,” emphasised the President.
Accepting the credentials of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Belarus, Fionna Gibb, the President noted that Belarus counts on building up ties with the UK. “We need to overcome the so-called psychological barrier in our relations, to take a fresh look at each other, and find promising avenues for co-operation,” he said.
Addressing the Austrian Ambassador to Belarus, Bernd Alexander Bayerl, the Belarusian leader noted that the positive dynamic relations with Austria meet with national interests of Belarus. The President of Belarus expressed hope that the opening of the embassy in Minsk will give a strong impetus to the mutually beneficial trade-economic and credit-investment contacts.
According to the Belarusian Head of State, despite stable development of contacts with Switzerland, there’s a huge untapped potential of economic co-operation and it’s necessary to step up efforts to use it in full. “We are still interested in the wider presence of the Swiss business in Belarus,” the stressed Belarusian leader, addressing the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Belarus, Andrej Motyl.
Greeting the new Ambassador of India to Belarus, Pankaj Saxena, Mr. Lukashenko stressed that Belarus hopes for significant activation of trade-economic partnership. He also noted high efficiency of the recent visit of the Indian President, Pranab Mukherjee.
“The development of all-round relations with Venezuela is among the priorities of Belarus’ foreign policy in Latin America,” emphasised the President of Belarus, as he accepted credentials from the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Venezuela to Belarus, Jose Boggiano Pericchi. Mr. Lukashenko also asserted that Belarus also considers Peru as a promising partner in South America.
Accepting the credentials of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of South Africa to Belarus (on concurrent), Nomasonto Maria Sibanda-Thusi, the President stressed that Belarus has been effectively developing interaction with the southern African states, particularly with the Republic of South Africa.
Addressing the ambassadors, the Head of State noted that Belarus will create the most favourable conditions for their diplomatic work in the country.
By Vladimir Mikhailov
