Makei: Moscow’s proposals were absolutely unacceptable to Belarus
Uladzimir Makei and Aiaksandr Lukashenka / TASS
Moscow’s initial proposals were “absolutely unacceptable” to Belarus. They envisaged the creation of some “supranational bodies” but were later abandoned by the negotiating sides, Belarusian Foreign Minister Uladzimir Makei said in an interview with the Russian business news agency RBC when commenting on the details of the Belarus-Russia advanced integration program.
Mr Makei noted that this program poses no threat to the independence of Belarus. In his view, to build a federation or a confederation with another state is no longer possible.
"Even if someone today wanted to build a federation or a confederation with another state, I think they would fail, because today's society has changed dramatically since the 1990s when the Soviet Union collapsed. Several generations have grown in an independent state since that time and no one is ready to give up this independence… I can hardly understand how the first president of the country who built our independent state could sacrifice this independence. Who would he be in our history?” Belarus’ diplomacy chief said.
Mr Makei stressed that the program is strictly in line with the Union State Treaty of 1999.
The “unaccepted proposals” were put forward by “several [Russian] structures.” After the meeting between Belarus President Aliaksandr Lukashenka and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg, those proposals were rejected because they did not conform to the essence of the Union State Treaty. The sides focused instead on the “economic agenda,” according to the Minister.
"Sovereignty is sacred for both states, and Belarus will not give it up for the sake of some opportunistic reasoning,” Belarusian Foreign Minister emphasized.
Daily videos about life in Belarus on YouTube. Subscribe.
