Belarusian diplomat discusses sanctions, human rights during Switzerland visit

November 10, BPN. The Swiss foreign ministry has told BPN that the war in Ukraine, sanctions, human rights and other issues were discussed during senior Belarusian diplomat Siarhiej Alejnik’s visit to Bern.

“This was an expert-level diplomatic meeting between Switzerland and Belarus,” it said.

The Belarusian foreign ministry said on its website that the first deputy foreign minister was in Switzerland from November 7 to 9.

He met with officials and businesspeople, discussed bilateral cooperation, sanctions, trade and investment, and the international situation, it said.

Although it supports the EU’s sanctions policy on Belarus, Switzerland maintains a fully-fledged mission in Minsk.

On February 9, Swiss Ambassador Christine Honegger presented her credentials to Belarusian Foreign Minister Uładzimir Makiej. Nine days later, Belarus freed Natallia Hersche, a Swiss national of Belarusian origin convicted over protests, from prison.