Lukashenko’s press secretary sheds light on results of President’s participation in summits
Natalya Eismont, the press secretary of the President of Belarus, commented on the fruit yielded by the Head of State's participation in major international summits, also on the results observed along the bilateral track in relations with various countries, BelTA reports
photo: www.belta.by
"With view of Belarus' participation in the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation and other similar organisations, and regarding the currently observed conversations on the topic, I would like to highlight a number of fundamental points," Ms. Eismont told journalists.
Control at the highest level
Events of the kind, in which the President participates, are important primarily due to an opportunity they provide: it is possible to control how agreements are being implemented – doing this at the highest level. "Take, China, for example. The President had a meaningful talk with Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan today, and they managed to discuss many issues. Among them are practical aspects of Belarusian-Chinese relations and a future meeting of the President of Belarus with the Chairman of the People's Republic of China," Ms. Eismont noted.
Belarus’ President wished good luck to the Chinese leadership at the upcoming 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. A working visit of the Belarusian delegation to China was also discussed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also had a brief conversation with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Astana. “This, again, is the control and revision of the ongoing joint projects: i.e. in the field of construction, and more,” Ms. Eismont added.
Plans for the future
Brief meetings are another point; during them, plans for bilateral relations are formed. These are not actually bilateral meetings in the classical sense, but still leaders determine the perspective as part of such communication. A meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, could act as an example. During the recent negotiations in Samarkand, the mechanisms of action for development of relations were identified – which involve the work of trade and economic commissions and a further meeting of foreign ministers in Islamabad. A visit of the President of Belarus to Pakistan will follow.
"However, there was a slowdown in the implementation of the plans. Upon realising this, the Prime Minister of Pakistan immediately offered to meet and briefly talk. They agreed today once again: it is necessary to pick up momentum. Everything planned will be implemented, and a visit of the President to Pakistan in the future is likely to crown the great work done,” the press secretary said.
Fundamental meetings
Fundamental meetings are the third most important point. On October 13th, these were held in Astana with the presidents of Turkey and Kazakhstan. Though they took place on the side-lines of the summit, they had been very seriously prepared in advance. A wide range of issues were discussed fundamentally and conceptually at these meetings.
"The agenda with Kazakhstan is very clear, and there are no problems in our relations. The talks with the Turkish President were also very intense, and an offer suddenly arose during them to meet in the near future and continue the conversation in Ankara. This was proposed to the President of Belarus by the Turkish leader," Ms. Eismont shared details.
"In addition, the President talked with colleagues from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan today – on the move, so to say. The Deputy Director General, Head of the Eurasia and the Western Balkans Division at the Israeli Foreign Ministry also proactively met and talked with the President of Belarus – focusing on our relations with this country," the press secretary added.
According to Ms. Eismont, this is a great practical work for the future, and such formats and venues – where two dozen heads of state and government gather together at one time – make it possible.
"Returning to the discussion of whether it is necessary or not [to participate in such summits], it is up to you to conclude,” Ms. Eismont summed up.
