Ukrainian politicians visited Belarus

For three days the former speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Moroz, ex-deputy Oleksiy Berezhnoy and ex-minister of internal affairs Vasyl Tsushko got acquainted with our country. They managed to do a great many things: visit the regions, look at businesses and communicate with Belarusians and with their compatriots who live and work with us. High-level events also took place: the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic, Natalya Kochanova, met with the guests.

“Thank you for coming to see how Belarus is developing, to see our socio-economic development and socio-political situation... I think that you will convey the real situation about our country to sane people, of whom there are many in Ukraine. Although many people know it: we communicate. People come and we exchange opinions. There are many twin cities, in previous years agreements on co-operation were signed between them, and people really liaise,” said the Speaker of the Upper House of Parliament.
The guests honestly admit that our neighbours have little objective information about Belarus. The way Belarus is represented in Ukraine is very different from the reality. Their conclusion is firstly: we have order. Conclusion number two: there is the experience that can be borrowed.
“I am especially attracted by the fact that Belarusian enterprises can not only produce economic results, but also provide for people in social terms. The social security of people is keenly felt. This should be appreciated! In Ukraine, we need people who won’t run away from their country. You need to make it clear how you can transform your life. I am convinced that much that is being done in Belarus will be useful for us,” Oleksandr Moroz said in an interview with journalists.
Ukrainian politicians could see all this with their own eyes during a visit to two of our country’s agricultural enterprises: Mazolovogaz and Snov Agrokombinat. The guests were shown not only how the agricultural process is organised in Belarus, but also what the social aspects of our agro-towns are and what policies the state pursues in the countryside. They were greatly impressed!
According to the portal Ukraine.ru, this visit has certain political implications, “These are well-known and iconic personalities with whom whole stages of the history of Ukraine are associated. It’s no secret that trips of Ukrainian politicians to Belarus are taboo. Those who disobey will be harassed on social networks, the press, ostracised and the punitive authorities will certainly be interested in them. However, a miracle happened: in the Ukrainian networks and media there is a deathly silence, which usually does not happen in such cases.”
There can be only one explanation, they believe: the ground is being tested for the restoration of relations between our countries.
“We consider it abnormal that tension has arisen between our countries, first of all, through the fault of the authorities. It doesn’t have to be that way. It is necessary to apply the methods of public diplomacy. So that people communicate and see what is happening. So that everyone can make a conclusion for themselves about what may happen next, and about future prospects,” said Oleksandr Moroz. “My conversation with you will not be welcomed by many in Ukraine, but I don’t seek to please everyone. I’m talking about what I’ve seen: a specific case, specific examples, evidence of a possible transformation of people’s lives. This is more important than the words of those who form the policy. I love Ukraine, I’m a true patriot. And I want there to be life for people with a perspective for children and grandchildren.”
And one more important emphasis from the guests: it is not for Ukrainians to teach Belarusians how to live.
“Because our human rights, in my opinion and in my deep conviction, are not properly protected,” stressed Oleksandr Moroz. “We need to see what is being done, why you have third place in the world in the production of mining dump trucks, why your tractors are working successfully... All this says something.”


By Dmitry Umpirovich