Voskresensky: Europeans show constructive interest in Belarus
Europeans start changing labels and stereotypes in relation to Belarus, while demonstrating a more constructive interest – as stated by the Director of Roundtable of Democratic Forces Information and Analysis Institution, Yuri Voskresensky, on the side-lines of the 14th Eurasian Economic Forum in Verona
“This interest in Belarus is accompanied by questions on whether the situation in the country has normalised, or what institutional transformations are expected… Previously, interest was accompanied primarily by stereotypes: Belarus was viewed as a country with no law, where people suffer. Meanwhile, we’ve all seen that these are people in Europe who suffer due to COVID: they cannot even go out for a meal without a COVID passport. This means, here in Europe, there is a COVID dictatorship," Mr. Voskresensky stressed.
He noted that, as forum participants voiced, humanity is beginning to emerge from the pandemic, “This way out is being viewed. In this regard, a socio-economic picture of the world will change or will be created anew. Belarus can dramatically strengthen its positions – primarily related to our industrial and export potential – in this new socio-economic reality, while occupying certain niches.”
Mr. Voskresensky said that he represented Belarus’ civil society at the Eurasian Economic Forum in Verona, “I promote people's diplomacy here. Actually, much is being done and promoted at informal meetings and in private conversations. In this regard, it is important that our voice – the voice of Belarus – be heard across all channels: state, unofficial, civil. This is especially relevant considering that representatives of the fugitive opposition are somehow present at some forums and discredit our country in the international arena. When foreign partners listen to two opinions, they understand that not everything is so clear… At present, organisers of high-profile economic forums want to hear the voice of representatives of the Belarusian civil society who stay and work in the country – to make deliberate managerial decisions, among other things. This is because those people who stay outside the country have completely split away and live now in their own fictional world. They have become inadequate: this is not some negative characteristic but rather an objective statement.”
Mr. Voskresensky particularly appreciated the position of Italian Conoscere Eurasia representatives: more than other Europeans, they are delved in issues related to Russia and the former Soviet republics, including Belarus. “Italians say: it would be very sad if Belarus followed the path of Ukraine and other post-Soviet countries. Some of them are now experiencing a constant political crisis which entails a socio-economic crisis,” he stressed.
