"To avoid stagnation". Lukashenko set tasks following foreign visits
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko set tasks following foreign visits at a meeting in the Palace of Independence. The Head of State demands that the government and other responsible parties promptly engage in the implementation of the agreements reached, BELTA correspondent reports.
"I would like to discuss with you today the results of our trip - the government delegation and mine - along the 'far arc,' as we often call it. I think that people and you should have no questions today about what the 'far arc' is," the President said.
In fact, the geography of the visits stretched from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans. "We have realistically drawn this 'far arc' along which we must work," Alexander Lukashenko noted.
The President explained that the circle of the "near arc" of cooperation - Belarus's neighbors and partners - includes CIS countries.
"Russia and China are two states with which we have the most advanced relations, and this is a separate story. You know that relevant presidential decisions have been adopted and are being implemented separately for these states," the Belarusian leader emphasized. "And the 'far arc' - here it is designated. To the north and south are states that are of great interest to us."
On cooperation with India
Alexander Lukashenko mentioned the development of cooperation with India, although there were no visits to this country at the highest or government level this time.
"A separate issue that we cannot fundamentally resolve is cooperation with the Indian state. At one time, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs began to fundamentally deal with this issue," the Head of State noted.
He instructed the current head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Aleinik, to submit his proposals on this issue in the near future, no later than the first quarter of next year. "A plan of work with India. Specifically, a plan. As we did in Africa with Equatorial Guinea. We don't need tourist trips. We need solutions to specific issues," the Head of State explained.
On monitoring the implementation of agreements in Africa
"Regarding the African continent, I want to warn everyone. I invited the Deputy Prime Ministers, although they were not deeply involved in the details of these preparatory visits of our specialists and ministers. They know about it. I invited you so that you would take the results of these business trips under special control," the President said.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that work with Equatorial Guinea was conducted in a new way: "Everything was under my strictest control. The Minister of Foreign Affairs visited there, established contacts with this state, and then specialists worked. And the ministers, having visited this country on the eve of my visit, developed the main directions (there are 15 of them) of our work and 74 specific projects that we agreed to implement together with our friends in Equatorial Guinea. And they must be implemented. I simply categorically insist on this and warn."
In this regard, the head of state set the task for Presidential Aide Alexander Kosinets to take under control in the Presidential Administration the work with Equatorial Guinea and Kenya – countries in Africa, which the head of state visited this time. "You, at the top, make a note for yourselves and control, study all these issues. This should be under control here, in the Presidential Administration. So that it doesn't happen, as it sometimes does with us, that we review our relations with certain states, exclude something, add something. We have reached agreements, and we need to implement these projects," the Belarusian leader emphasized.
He noted that while in Equatorial Guinea, he frankly stated that it was not charitable assistance from Belarus. "We are not America, which prints money. Nor are we China, which has huge reserves. And not even Russia. We must negotiate for money and work exclusively in good faith. There are very good prospects there. We need to do everything we know how to do there," said Alexander Lukashenko.
Speaking about Kenya, the President addressed Viktor Sheiman: "I already told you during the flight: take charge
Alexander Lukashenko described his visit to China as very useful and productive, noting that the Chinese side is ready for joint work on the issues discussed: "No" was not heard during the negotiations (as per BELTA). All issues raised with PRC Chairman Xi Jinping received one answer: "Yes, we are ready to work, to deepen our cooperation, let's work together, let's work in a friendly manner."
"China is the future of the entire planet. And the fact that we have good relations with it is our advantage, our achievement," the head of state emphasized.
About the Emirates
"As for the Emirates, they are working with us on specific issues. There is no stagnation anywhere. And we agreed that possibly (they have a great interest) we can work together in Africa. There is a large scope of work for them there, considering their global influence and the financial resources they possess. Therefore, if they have an interest in working on specific issues, we are ready to involve them," said Alexander Lukashenko.
About Common Tasks
The head of state urged all participants of the meeting to work effectively, consistently, and promptly on the implementation of agreements reached in various countries. To achieve this, it is important to act together, not separately. "Everything should be concentrated in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Everything should be there. We will see how the new Minister of Foreign Affairs handles these issues. This is a huge number of issues. That is why I am instructing Sheiman, Kotsinets, and others to get involved. The government and ministers will have to implement all agreements. I am categorically warning you to avoid any delays," the Belarusian leader stated.
As reported by BELTA, Alexander Lukashenko visited a number of foreign countries in the past two weeks.
In early December, he participated in the World Climate Change Summit in the United Arab Emirates and held numerous meetings with foreign counterparts on the sidelines of the forum.
After that, the President visited China, where he met with PRC Chairman Xi Jinping.
Upon returning to the UAE, the head of the Belarusian state met with the President of this country, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
From the UAE, Alexander Lukashenko traveled to Africa. He paid an official two-day visit to Equatorial Guinea and a working visit to Kenya.
In turn, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko visited Uzbekistan and Vietnam these days, where negotiations and meetings were held at various levels.
Source: belta.by