International Review

Dear listeners, you’re tuned to Radio Belarus International. This is International Review project, dedicated to Belarus’ cooperation with other countries of the world.

The topic of our today's program is Belarus-USA relations.

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After declaration of its independence the Republic of Belarus entered the world stage as a new sovereign state, which appeared as a result of the collapse of the USSR, and as a European country with rich historic traditions of statehood.

Belarus developed its foreign policy course under difficult conditions of drastic geopolitical, economic and social transformations in the world that were characterized by high intensity and dynamics.

Despite objective difficulties, the independent Republic of Belarus managed to develop its international relations without sacrificing its national interests. It enabled our country to confidently and effectively promote and protect its foreign policy objectives and priorities.

Modern Belarus is a sovereign European state pursuing an independent and peaceful foreign policy, developing cooperation with strategic allies and foreign partners from all over the world, is one of initiators and an active participants of regional integration structures and projects, significantly contributing to strengthening of international security and stability.

Belarus supports the development of a constructive and equitable dialogue with the US, expansion of full-scale bilateral collaboration on urgent issues of global agenda (fight against human-trafficking, counteraction to drug distribution, cybercrime, security of nuclear sites, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction), based on mutual interests.

Diplomatic relations between Belarus and the United States were established on December 28, 1991. The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the United States of America was opened in Washington, D.C. in 1992.

Following the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belarus and the United States, a solid foundation for political, economic and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries was laid. The President of the Republic of Belarus visited the United States in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2015, including for participation in the session of the UN General Assembly. In 1994, the U.S. President paid a short visit to Belarus.

Belarus has never been interested in deteriorating relations with the U.S. On the contrary, normalizing relations has always been one of the priorities of Belarus' foreign policy. Belarus advocates development of bilateral ties with the U.S. on the basis of mutual respect and partnership.

Recently Belarus – U.S. relations have been gradually improving. Level and intensity of Belarus’ contacts with governmental bodies have increased. Belarus-United States cooperation on global and regional security, combating international terrorism, and in international organizations is being maintained and expanded. In particular, Belarus and the U.S. are cooperating on preventing illicit transit of nuclear and radioactive materials.

As part of his visit to the U.S. in September 2015, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko had a protocol meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama.

In July 2017, the U.S. Congressional delegation headed by Senator Roger Wicker visited Belarus to take part in the session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. During the visit, delegation members met with the Head of Belarusian State.

Belarus and the United States are engaged in a process of developing bilateral relations, systematically increasing cooperation in trade and economic area and resolving issues in bilateral agenda of mutual concern.

The United States is one of the main Belarus' trade partner, holding ninth-tenth position among non-CIS countries in terms of trade turnover.

Minsk and Washington cooperate in various fields of common interest, including security. The sides have resumed dialogue on military matters, in healthcare, agriculture, professional exchange. In March 2019, the U.S. side was informed that Belarus lifted the cap on the number of U. S. Diplomats allowed in the country. There are intergovernmental agreement on economic cooperation, in banking and other areas. In May 2019, memorandums on cooperation were signed between the State Border Committee, the State Customs Committee, the Interior Ministry, the Investigation Committee and the Drug Enforcement Administration under the United States Department of Justice.

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The interest of the USA in the region of Eastern Europe is good, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale in Minsk.

The president said:

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“It is a pleasure to see you here, not only in Belarus, but also in Eastern Europe. I am pleased to mention the following: it shows that the USA has finally paid attention not only to Europe in general but also to Belarus. In this difficult time your interest in this region is reassuring. Perhaps, we are in thrall to certain mass media insinuations. But it seems to us in Belarus that Europe and the planet in general are facing difficult times. We understand that it never happens in life that one is always to blame and the rest are pure angels. Probably, all of us are responsible for what is going on in the world. I am convinced that your visit will give an opportunity at least to the Belarusian government and Belarusian people to take a more objective look at the world on the assumption of the information that I hope to get from a very informed person. Belarus will do everything to develop bilateral relations with the United States. As for our relations, you know, and you have been notified, that this is not the only signal we are sending to the U.S. leadership that we normalizing the relations. It is not normal when the two states that once fought on the same side against the enemy have such, let's say, weak relations today. The United States could also help settle the conflict in Ukraine. As for problems of Europe, especially Eastern Europe, Ukraine in particular, I firmly believe that at present this conflict cannot be resolved without the U.S. involvement. This is one of the basic principles of diplomacy: if negotiators cannot solve the problem, they should invite new parties to the table. There should be new ideas. Also, reassuring information has become available about intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles. We are concerned about it because Belarus is party to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Today the treaty is virtually destroyed but statements have been made that neither NATO nor Russia are going to deploy these missiles in Europe. In turn, I said the other day that we are never going to initiate efforts to dismantle this treaty. Moreover, we are never going to deploy such missiles in Belarus in order to make the situation more complicated. But these two statements – from the West and the East – make me believe that Belarus will not have to resort to these last-ditch measures. We have neither willingness nor spare money for it. The last war cost Belarus one third of the population. The country fought against the aggressor together with the USA. We don’t want things to go up in flames in Belarus once again.”

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In turn, United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale said that the decision to restore diplomatic contacts between Belarus and the USA to the level of ambassadors is a historic moment in Belarus-USA relations.

David Hale said:

(rec)

“Today is a historic moment in American-Belarusian relations. I am glad to participate in the declaration of our readiness to exchange ambassadors as the next step in normalizing our relations. I and Alexander Lukashenko had a good and profound talk not only about bilateral relations but about the entire spectrum of matters on the common international agenda. I am pleased to be in Minsk in order to indicate mutual effort to advance bilateral relations in a new direction. The USA remains committed to supporting the sovereignty and independence of Belarus where next generations will have a successful future. The USA and Belarus have decided to restore diplomatic missions to the level of ambassadors. I would like to convey greetings from the secretary of state who’s asked me to come here in order to be present at an important historical moment of our bilateral relations. We’ve made a statement that we are going to exchange ambassadors after so many years without them. We agree with you that the state of affairs is unnatural, abnormal. We are glad that this chapter is nearly over. We are closing this chapter due to the steps your country and you personally have made. We would also like to note the vision you’ve accepted – greater diversity in internal affairs and in relations with the outside world. We strongly support this vision and will do our best to help you on the way. The USA is doing it not for the sake of competing with some other country but for the sake of fully realizing the potential of bilateral relations. And also because we highly value this region and we are very attentive to security threats. And also because we strongly support Belarus’ sovereignty and independence. By normalizing relations, the United States is not asking Belarus to choose between East and West. The United States also welcomes Belarus’ increased cooperation on issues of non-proliferation, border security, economic cooperation, and information sharing on matters of shared security. I would like to reiterate that by normalizing our relationship, we are not asking Belarus to choose between East and West. The United States respects Belarus’ desire to chart its own course and to contribute to peace and stability in the region. United States remains committed to a sovereign, independent Belarus with a prosperous future for the next generation. At the same time, there are still aspects of the Belarus Democracy Act with which the Belarusian government needs to contend, and the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections represent an opportunity to address the spirit of the concerns outlined in the Belarus Democracy Act. With such progress, we can discuss further easing of sanctions. Belarus is a country with a rich culture and vibrant, talented people.  We look forward to increased cooperation and dialogue between our countries.”

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