Italy's Ambassador: Berlusconi is unlikely to visit Belarus now
Arnaldo Abeti has told whether he is expecting "deportation" and whether Italy supports the idea of expanding sanctions against Belarus.
The Italian Embassy in Belarus has organized a reception dedicated to the Republic Day on Thursday. The reception took place in one of the sports clubs in the outskirts of Minsk. Representatives of almost all embassies, accredited in Belarus, politicians and civil activists came to greet the Italian diplomats.
The official part was very short. Ambassador Arnaldo Abeti held a short speech, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Aliaksandr Huryanau said a few words in response.
Arnaldo Abeti answered Euroradio's questions during the non-official part of
the event.
Euroradio: Some time ago,
Aliaksandr Lukashenka threatened to exile ambassadors of some EU countries from
Belarus. Did you take this threat personally? For example, for
non-participation in a floral tribute on May 9?
Arnaldo Abeti: Ambassadors did not participate in the May 9 floral tribute
because they had not been invited. At least, this concerns a certain part of
the diplomatic corpus. As for the statements of Mr. Lukashenko, I'll refrain
from commenting thereof, taking into consideration his position. In every case,
when certain actions are taken after his statements, he will be the one to bear
responsibility, not anyone else.
Euroradio: There was information several
days ago that Italy's PM Silvio Berlusconi might pay a visit to Belarus. The
information was refuted, but is such a visit possible in the near future?
Arnaldo Abeti: This information appeared due to Berlusconi's lawyer's mistake.
He mentioned Belarus instead or Romania, Bucharest. As for the possibility of
such a visit, I would refrain from making prognosis. However, I don't think it
is likely to happen in the near future. We need to remember that Italy in any
case a member and a founder of the European Union.
Euroradio: Does Italy support
the position of some EU countries with regard to expanding sanctions against
Belarus, being a founder and a member of the European Union?
Arnaldo Abeti: Italy takes a very clear position. I facilitated it in some
sense. I am convinced that certain decisions are necessary but the doors to
dialogue should always remain open. Therefore, Italy will try to avoid everything
that might interfere with the possible dialogue to the very end. The decisions
which are taken in Brussels are the decisions of the EU's central level.
Therefore, Italian leaders will bear responsibility when they take certain
decisions at certain moments, depending on the situation.
Euroradio: You started working
in Belarus not very long ago - do you take the events which have occurred
recently and are still taking place here, close to your heart?
Arnaldo Abeti: Being a diplomat, I am supposed to refrain from declaring
opinions on certain topics. However there is one thing I've always said and
will repeat further on - I feel very close to Belarus and its people.
Euroradio: You have to meet
with Belarusian officials, representatives of the Government, from time to
time. I know that you are trying to establish more close relations between our
countries. How do our officials response to such attempts? What prevents our
countries from cooperation?
Arnaldo Abeti: I have paid some visits of politeness to different
representatives of the Belarusian government. During them, I've always said,
very clearly, that I would like to act in the way to improve the quality of our
relations. They are not bad anyway. But I cannot do it just be myself. The
principle response to my words has always been positive. It is clear that other
decisions are taken sometimes, which do not depend on my vis-a-vis. Very often,
these decisions diminish the willingness to improve the relations which would
have the tendency for salvation or soonest development.
Photo by: Zmicier Lukashuk