Transcript of the press approach by Deputy Minister I.Sekreta on the sidelines of the 10th Advisory Council on Affairs of Belarusians Abroad

First Informational: If possible, a few words about the importance of the event taking place today. As I understand, it is traditional, held annually. Belarusians from abroad come, compare notes. Overall, how important is this?

I.Sekreta: I think it is very important, especially for us, because we have always been able to rely on the support of those who live abroad. Despite the difficulties with logistics, communications, political issues, difficulties with buying tickets and obtaining visas for some people, we maintain this tradition and gather those who work and cooperate with us before the New Year.

This is an opportunity for them, for the new members of our club, to see what life in Belarus is like, what life in Minsk is like, to show them the sights, and to arrange meetings in ministries and government agencies.

I would remind you that the Advisory Council has been functioning for more than a year. Its main task is to mobilize all government bodies so that they can send books, sew costumes, organize events that promote our language and culture abroad. And these people are essentially our ambassadors. They are our goodwill ambassadors who convey everything they saw in Belarus and share their impressions. This is the best advertisement and promotion of Belarus.

BELTA: Maybe you could also say a few words about the results of your participation in the OSCE Ministerial Council? Perhaps there were some contacts on the sidelines, for example with Lithuania?

I.Sekreta: Last week I took part in the annual OSCE ministerial meeting. It was held on December 4–5 in Vienna. We persistently offered our Lithuanian partners the opportunity to make use of this occasion – since the Lithuanian delegation was also represented at the level of a deputy foreign minister – to hold consultations and to discuss at the negotiating table all the issues that have accumulated on our bilateral agenda.

Despite the fact that the Finnish OSCE Chairmanship persistently offered its services to the Lithuanian side to organize such a meeting, the Lithuanian side did not agree to such contact.

Why is this happening? I think the explanation is quite simple. Anyone who regularly reads the Lithuanian press may draw one conclusion from it: any political-level contacts with the Belarusian side are somehow perceived by the Lithuanian side as a defeat.

Why does this happen? Perhaps because in Vilnius – primarily the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of that country – is not interested in solving the problems of ordinary citizens, ordinary carriers, ordinary tourists, ordinary people, whom the government and these institutions should serve first and foremost.

One would think – what could be simpler? Even complex matters are resolved at the diplomatic and political level. And I would remind you, this is stipulated in the international agreements concluded between Belarus and Lithuania. Because these are not just issues of logistics or returning trucks. These are issues of the functioning of the state border, humanitarian matters, transit and logistics. There was plenty to discuss. And we were ready for such a conversation. But, as they say, the situation remains unchanged.

We hope that in the near future the opinion of sensible, reasonable politicians – who also exist in Lithuania, primarily in the relevant ministries of infrastructure, transport, and internal affairs – will prevail, and that a decision will be made and this contact will take place. I repeat once more: we are ready for serious, substantive work.

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