Belarus, Hungary stand for peaceful settlement in Ukraine – Foreign Minister Alejnik

February 14, BPN. The approaches of Minsk and Budapest to the situation in Ukraine “coincide in many ways,” Belarusian Foreign Minister Siarhiej Alejnik said following talks with his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó in Minsk on February 13.

“As foreign ministers, me and my colleague discussed in detail the international agenda and the situation in the region,” Alejnik said, as quoted by the Belarusian foreign ministry’s press office. “We noted the deep crisis of European security, which cannot but worry our countries. Of course, special attention was paid to the situation in Ukraine in this context.”

According to him, “both countries do not support pumping western weapons into the conflict zone and stand for a peaceful resolution of the situation.” He said that only dialogue and political and diplomatic measures “can help restore peace in the region,” and recalled that last year “Hungary offered its territory for talks on a peaceful settlement.” Belarus, in turn, “has provided its platform on a permanent basis since 2014.”

“Last year, three rounds of talks were also held on Belarusian soil,” Alejnik said. “So I would like to take this opportunity to confirm that we are ready to continue this work. The Minsk platform has always been, remains and will remain open to the world. Belarus is doing its utmost to achieve peace and tranquility, the value and importance of which our people know better than any other,” he added.

The minister pointed out that the Hungarian foreign minister’s visit to Minsk was unusual as relations between Belarus and the EU were “at their lowest point.”

“At the same time, I would like to emphasize that Belarus has never threatened anyone, has never been a source of threats or initiated any steps to worsen the relationship,” Alejnik said. “We have always kept our powder dry and our door open to dialogue. A dialogue built on generally accepted principles of interstate relations, based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and ability to listen to each other and, most importantly, to hear each other. Unfortunately, not all partners adequately perceive the peaceful nature of Belarusian foreign policy today.”

According to Belarus’ top diplomat, Minsk stays in contact “with a number of European partners.” “With some privately, at their request. With some openly, as in this particular case. With some this dialogue is more critical. With some we manage to solve certain bilateral issues quite successfully and to implement economic, educational, cultural and humanitarian projects,” he added.

Alejnik hopes that Szijjártó’s visit will become “a peculiar starting point and a certain signal to the European partners to continue contacts, communication and dialogue.”