President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko set tasks based on the outcomes of 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, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
"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," noted Alexander Lukashenko.
EISMONT SPOKE ABOUT THE MAIN THESIS OF THE PRESIDENT OF BELARUS AT THE MEETING ON THE RESULTS OF FOREIGN VISITS
The President explained that the CIS countries are part of the "near arc" of cooperation - Belarus's neighbours and partners.
"Russia and the PRC are two states with which we have the most advanced relations; this is a separate matter. You know that relevant decisions of the President have been adopted and are being implemented separately for these states," the Belarusian leader emphasised. "And the 'far arc' - here it is designated. States located to the north and south are of great interest to us."
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, which we cannot fundamentally resolve, is cooperation with the Indian state. At one time, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs began to deal with this issue in principle," 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 work plan with India. Specifically, a plan. Like 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 controlling the implementation of agreements in Africa
"Regarding the African continent, I want to warn everyone. I have 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 have invited you so that you 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, 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 you."
In this regard, the head of state tasked the President's aide, Alexander Kosinets, to take control within the Presidential Administration of the work with Equatorial Guinea and Kenya – countries in Africa where 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 like it sometimes does with us, when we audit 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 told them that from Belarus's side, it was not charitable assistance. "We are not America, which prints money. Nor China, which has huge reserves. Not even Russia. We must negotiate for money and work exclusively in good faith. There are very good prospects there. Everything we know how to do is needed there," said Alexander Lukashenko.
LUKASHENKO CONFIRMS READINESS TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS FOR EQUATORIAL GUINEA'S DEVELOPMENT
Speaking about Kenya, the President addressed Viktor Sheiman: "I already told you during the flight: take charge of Africa, as you once started. It should be under your control as the President's special envoy. Regarding Kenya, you know the issues on which the President asked us to help them: three global issues beneficial for us. And others. Therefore, Africa and Kenya separately are your responsibility. The African continent. You started there, you are responsible for it."
LUKASHENKO HOLDS TALKS WITH PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO IN KENYA
On the productive visit to China
As for the People's Republic of China, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Nikolai Snopkov, bears personal responsibility for working with this country. He also attended the recent high-level talks in Beijing together with the Minister 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 issues discussed: "No" was not heard during the talks. All issues that we put before PRC Chairman Xi Jinping received one answer: "Yes, we are ready to work, to deepen, 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.
LUKASHENKO AT TALKS WITH XI JINPING: BELARUS WAS, IS, AND WILL BE A RELIABLE PARTNER FOR CHINA
On the Emirates
"As for the Emirates, they are working with us on specific issues. There is no slowdown anywhere. And we agreed that, possibly (they have a very strong 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 are interested in working on specific issues, we are ready to involve them," said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
PRESIDENTS OF BELARUS AND THE UAE DISCUSSED THE DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF BILATERAL PROJECTS
On Common Tasks
The Head of State urged all meeting participants to work efficiently, consistently, and promptly on implementing agreements reached in various countries. 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's why I am instructing both Sheiman and Kosinets to get involved and so on. The Government and ministers will have to implement all agreements. I am strictly warning you to avoid any slowdown," stated the Belarusian leader.
As reported by BELTA, Aleksandr Lukashenko visited a number of foreign countries in the past two weeks.
In early December, he participated in the World Climate Action Summit in the United Arab Emirates and held numerous meetings with foreign counterparts on the sidelines of this forum.
After that, the President visited China, where he met with the Chairman of the PRC, Xi Jinping.
Upon returning to the UAE, the Head of the Belarusian State met with the President of that country, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
From the UAE, Aleksandr Lukashenko headed to Africa. An official two-day visit to Equatorial Guinea and a working visit to Kenya took place.
In turn, the Prime Minister of Belarus, Roman Golovchenko, visited Uzbekistan and Vietnam during these days, where negotiations and meetings at various levels were held.
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