Alexander Lukashenko Met with Alexander Surikov

“As regards Belarusian-Russian relations, it is necessary to make things clear in all respects,” said Head of State Alexander Lukashenko meeting Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus Alexander Surikov on May 7th, as is reported by the Press Service of the Head of State.

“As regards Belarusian-Russian relations, it is necessary to make things clear in all respects,” said Head of State Alexander Lukashenko meeting Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus Alexander Surikov on May 7^th, as is reported by the Press Service of the Head of State.

The President expressed confidence that “after our meeting you will bring the most comprehensive information to notice of the government of the Russian Federation so that Minsk and Moscow would understand each other even better on every single issue,” said the President.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that he opened a new page in the dialogue with foreign diplomats. At the same time, addressing the Russian Ambassador he observed: “You are not a foreigner to us. You represent the closest nation to Belarus – Russians. That is why it is you who I have decided to start this tradition with”. “I would like this heart-to-heart conversation to mark a good beginning of a tradition to meet the ambassadors of foreign states,” stressed the Head of State.

Addressing the heads of diplomatic missions to Belarus, the President urged them to a more intensive and open communication with him. “I invite all the ambassadors to ask me more questions. In this case we will avoid the failures to fully understand or to mention something,” noted Alexander Lukashenko.

He explained that in order to avoid insinuations in mass media and the political community he is ready to answer frankly any questions of foreign diplomatic representatives. “It concerns all areas,” stressed the Head of State. “For instance, I am ready to tell you about the meeting with the President of Ukraine, the prospects of our participation in “Eastern Partnership” as well as any personnel appointments”. According to Alexander Lukashenko, he is prepared to consider the opinions of the ambassadors regarding this or that appointment to public posts.

In his turn the Ambassador of the Russian Federation called Alexander Lukashenko’s decision to hold a number of meetings with diplomatic representatives very sound and timely, especially against the background of the global economic crisis.

After the ceremonial meeting Alexander Lukashenko and Alexander Surikov continued their conversation in a t?te-?-t?te format in the President’s room.