Łukašenka says shares Orbán’s “aspiration to maintain peace”

August 20, BPN. Alaksandr Łukašenka has greeted Hungary’s leaders on St Stephen’s Day, stating that he is willing to develop bilateral ties.

Addressing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, he noted that Belarusians and Hungarians were united by “faith in truth and justice, love for their homelands, and the desire to preserve traditions and protect relatives and loved ones.”

“Despite the existing serious threats and geopolitical games, our countries continue to gradually defend their right to be sovereign and independent states,” he said in a letter to Orbán, according to Łukašenka’s press office. “I share your aspiration to maintain peace. The Republic of Belarus continues to advocate the strengthening of regional and global security on the principles of joint responsibility, as well as the formation of sustainable strategic stability. I am sure that we will be able to make a significant contribution to establishing consent between members of the international community.”

“Modern challenges demand that we cooperate closer,” Łukašenka wrote to Hungarian President Katalin Novák. He said he was convinced that the two countries “will maintain a constructive dialogue in various areas in spite of any difficulties.” He added that Belarus sincerely wanted broader an deeper cooperation with Hungary “across the entire spectrum.”

Orbán, whose country’s economy is dependent on Russian gas imports, has repeatedly criticized the European Union’s sanctions on Moscow.

The Hungarian prime minister visited Łukašenka during the 2020 presidential election campaign in Belarus. “The time has come for the EU to cancel the existing sanctions on Belarus,” he said at that time, as quoted by state-run news agency BelTA.