Miory Regional Executive Committee
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting at the Independence Palace set tasks based on the results of foreign visits. The head of state demands that the government and other responsible parties promptly engage in implementing the reached agreements, reports a BELTA correspondent.
"I would like to discuss with you today the results of our mission — of the government delegation and my own along the far arc, as we often call it. I believe that neither the public nor you should have any questions today about what the far arc is," the President said.
In fact, the geographic scope of the visits extended from the Pacific to the Atlantic oceans. "We have effectively mapped out this far arc along which we are to operate," Alexander Lukashenko pointed out.
The President clarified that the close arc of cooperation, comprising Belarus's neighbors and partners, encompasses the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.
"Russia and the PRC are two states with which we maintain the most advanced relations — that constitutes a separate track. As you are aware, specific presidential decisions have been adopted and are being implemented independently for these two states," underscored the Belarusian leader. "The far arc, however, is clearly delineated. It comprises states situated to the north and south that are of significant interest to us."
On Cooperation with India
Alexander Lukashenko mentioned the development of cooperation with India, even though there were no visits to the country at either the highest or government level on this occasion.
"A distinct challenge that we have not yet been able to resolve on a fundamental basis is engagement with the Indian state. Previously, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs initiated substantive work on this matter," the head of state remarked.
He has instructed the current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Aleynik, to submit his proposals on this matter in the near future, no later than the first quarter of next year. "A work plan for cooperation with India. Precisely a plan. As we did in Africa with Equatorial Guinea. We do not need tourism-related visits. We need concrete decisions on specific matters," the head of state clarified.
On Monitoring the Implementation of Agreements in Africa
"Turning to the African continent, I wish to make a clear statement to everyone. I have invited the Deputy Prime Ministers, even though they were not involved in the details of these preparatory visits conducted by our specialists and ministers. They are aware of this. I have summoned you precisely to ensure close supervision over the outcomes of these official trips," the President stated.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that cooperation with Equatorial Guinea followed a new approach: "Everything proceeded under my strictest supervision. The Minister of Foreign Affairs visited the country, established contacts with its authorities, and subsequently our specialists engaged in detailed work. Furthermore, the ministers who visited the country immediately prior to my trip formulated the key areas (15 in total) of our cooperation and identified 74 specific projects that we agreed to implement jointly with our friends in Equatorial Guinea. These initiatives must be executed. I am categorically insisting on this and issuing a formal warning."
In this regard, the head of state tasked Presidential Assistant Alexander Kosintsev with overseeing cooperation with Equatorial Guinea and Kenya within the Presidential Administration—these being the African nations visited during this trip. "Those of you at the senior level should take note and maintain strict oversight. Study all these matters thoroughly. This requires dedicated monitoring right here, within the Presidential Administration. We must avoid the occasional practice of reviewing our bilateral relations with certain states, arbitrarily excluding or adding items. We have reached agreements, and it is imperative that we implement these projects," the Belarusian leader stressed.
He noted that during his stay in Equatorial Guinea, he frankly stated there that it is not charitable assistance on the part of Belarus. "We are not America, which prints money. Nor China, which possesses huge reserves. And even not Russia. We must negotiate for funding and work with strict diligence. The prospects there are very promising. There, we need to apply everything we know how to do," Alexander Lukashenko said.
Speaking about Kenya, the President addressed Viktor Sheyman: "I already told you during the flight: take charge of Africa, just as you started before. It should be under your control as the President's special envoy. Regarding Kenya, you know the issues for which the President asked us to assist them: three global matters beneficial to us. And others. Therefore, Africa and Kenya specifically are your responsibility. The African continent. You started there, you are accountable for it."
LUKASHENKO HELD TALKS IN KENYA WITH PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO
On the productive visit to China
As for the People's Republic of China, personal responsibility for cooperation with this country rests with First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov, who also attended the recent high-level talks in Beijing alongside the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Alexander Lukashenko called the visit to China very useful and productive, and the Chinese side is ready for joint work on the discussed issues: the word "no" was not heard (during the negotiations. - Note by BELTA). All questions we put before President of the PRC Xi Jinping received one answer: "Yes, we are ready to work, to deepen, let us work together, let us work in a friendly manner."
"China is the future of the entire planet. The fact that we maintain good relations with it is our advantage, our accomplishment," the head of state emphasized.
LUKASHENKO AT TALKS WITH XI JINPING: BELARUS WAS, IS AND WILL BE A RELIABLE PARTNER
As reported by BELTA, over the past two weeks Alexander Lukashenko has visited a number of foreign countries.
In early December, in the United Arab Emirates, he took part in the World Summit on Combating Climate Change and held numerous meetings with foreign counterparts on the sidelines of this forum.
Following this, the President visited China, where he met with President of the PRC Xi Jinping.
Upon returning to the UAE, the head of the