Belarus is a supporter of the peaceful development of all countries

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko,  met with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, who arrived in Minsk to participate in a high-level international conference on Eurasian security

Peter Szijjarto (left) during the meeting    Belta


“You are probably the most media-rich Foreign Minister now, especially in our area. We see you often and hear you. Not only your statements, but also those by our good friend Mr. Orban [Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban].

For some reason the European Union believes that Belarus is its opponent. You know, we are not vindictive people. And this is despite the current turbulence in the EU and the sanctions that the European Union has imposed against us. You should know that the Belarusian President is an ardent supporter of preserving the European Union. Not because I love the European Union very much but because the EU along with the USA, China, Russia, and to some extent India are strong pillars of the current word system. If this pillar is torn out of this system, it will be very bad for everyone,” the Head of State noted. 

Aleksandr Lukashenko once again stressed that as a European state and the geographical centre of Europe Belarus wants the European Union to keep existing.
“Our positions may probably coincide in that we really want the European Union to be a powerful, strong, sovereign, and independent association. This is what we wish to see. This is something you should know. Despite all the nuances in relations and even the policy that the union is pursuing towards Belarus today. We are supporters of the union,” the Head of State said.
During the meeting, Aleksandr Lukashenko commented on the supply of long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine and announced the threat of a full-scale war, 

“Americans have started supplying ATACMS missiles to Ukraine. They should understand that they are escalating the war. Russia will never put up with this. Neither will we. Therefore, we need to resist this in every possible way, if we do not want to find ourselves again in this hot cauldron of a terrible deadly war instead of a standoff.”
The Head of State emphasised, “Our position on Ukraine is similar to that of Hungary. Belarus does not need the war, and neither do you. We are neighbours. The European Union could have done a lot. Although I understand that the pressure on it from overseas is huge. But I am absolutely convinced that if Europeans wanted this, we could end the war and come to an agreement, make certain conclusions so that this does not happen again.”

The President said that he expects a complete solution to the problems in the coming year amid Western sanctions, “I think that by and large we have overcome the effect of the sanctions. It is not the first time we have faced them. You know it well. Indeed, there are still some problems due to the need to reroute logistics first and foremost and there are some financial issues, issues with the transfer of payments and so on. But I think we will settle these problems, too. As for our trade and economic relations, unfortunately, they have deteriorated. Not through our fault. You know the reasons. If Hungarians and the Hungarian leadership have any wishes to work in Belarus, we will be happy to host your enterprises and companies and will create the most favourable conditions for work.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko conveyed his best wishes to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. “It's difficult, almost impossible, for us to travel there now. But he can come over any time. We will talk about serious matters. I think it will be useful,” the President added.
The Head of State also thanked the Hungarian side for cooperation in humanitarian matters. “Our football players, athletes have the opportunity to take part in competitions in Hungary, to play their home matches. As you can see, we find a way out.
Putting pressure on athletes, especially Paralympians and the disabled is very wrong. It's good that Hungary understands this,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “If we can be useful to Hungary, we are ready to act in this direction. We are very grateful to you. We are grateful people. I think the time will come when we will be able to respond in kind to you for your good policy towards Belarus.”
Peter Szijjarto thanked Aleksandr Lukashenko for the opportunity to meet with the Head of State. He stressed the need to maintain contacts and communication between both sides in order to settle the existing conflicts in the region as soon as possible.
“I believe in dialogue. We want to have peace in our neighbourhood. There is a war going on in the neighbourhood. We are not responsible for it, but we are paying the price for it. Hungarians are also dying in this war. We don’t want people to die,” the minister said. “We would like this war to end as soon as possible. That is why we are rushing the truce and ceasefire. I sincerely hope that there will be an opportunity to do so sooner rather than later. We know very well that without dialogue, without communication, this will never become possible.”

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

At the beginning of the meeting, Sergei Lavrov conveyed greetings from Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Head of the Belarusian State.
“Thank you, don’t forget to tell him too,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
“Certainly. I’ll tell him in detail,” assured Sergei Lavrov.
The President of Belarus said that he plans to have a telephone conversation with the Russian leader in the near future.
At a meeting with Sergei Lavrov, Aleksandr Lukashenko confirmed that the Republic of Belarus is a reliable ally of the Russian Federation and there can be no games in this matter.

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov and Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Aleinik      Belta

“Both Russia and Belarus are doing a lot to prevent Europe and the entire world from sliding towards the most dangerous line. You should know that we will continue pursuing this policy. We are reliable allies of the Russian Federation. Have no doubts about it, too. There can be no games here, since we understand that a lot is at stake, including the survival of our states and our peoples,” the President said.

Speaking about Belarusian-Russian relations, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted: despite various kinds of external pressure, the parties are moving towards the implementation of plans in the Union State. 
“As for trade, which is fundamental to our cooperation, you know that this year we will reach a record high level. Although Belarus is not a big country, it is among the top five trading partners of the huge, gigantic Russia. This speaks volumes,” the Head of State emphasised. “You can rest assured that we will maintain the sovereignty of Belarus and Russia when it comes to economy and other things. Even in the areas where we fell a little behind hoping for honest cooperation with ‘advanced' Europe and the collective West. We will make up for this. It will not take much time. We have mapped out certain steps. Microelectronics and other areas are a case in point. As for Belarus-Russia relations, there is nothing to talk about. We act as a single whole. You can rest assured that Belarus will be committed to this principle, no matter how hard they will try to obstruct us in the run-up to the parliamentary elections.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that an important election campaign will take place in Belarus in February 2024. 
“We are already seeing what they [opponents] are up to. There will also be a presidential election a year after the parliamentary elections. We will have such a difficult period. And the Westerners are preparing for it. We are fully aware of it and are ready for any scenarios,” Aleksandr 
Lukashenko added.
The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry thanked for the invitation to visit Belarus and for its initiative to hold a conference on the topic of Eurasian security.
“This is more relevant now than ever,” he is convinced.
Sergei Lavrov explained the timeliness of organising such a forum by the difficult situation on the European continent — large and rich in natural resources, but under the dictation of the Americans, it decided to divide into two camps, just as it was during the Cold War era. 
“But even then economic ties were not interrupted. And now, under pressure from Washington, Europe is facing direct losses,” the minister noted.
For example, at the conference, the Hungarian minister directly said that energy costs in Europe are 5 times more expensive than in the United States. The consequences will be disastrous — deindustrialisation, transfer of production to other regions, and so on.
“So, I think this was also one of the tasks of the Americans — to weaken Europe and not give it the opportunity to economically straighten its shoulders and become independent. Therefore, the topic [of the conference in Minsk] is extremely relevant,” the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasised.

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by