Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during expanded-format talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Sergey Aleinik, Minsk, June 24, 2024
24 June 2024 20:15
1197-24-06-2024
Mr Aleinik, friends,
It is always a pleasure to be among friends on the hospitable Belarusian land in Minsk. In addition to excellent conditions for joint work (we are confronted with numerous challenges), Minsk offers excellent conditions for communicating with old acquaintances and comrades as well.
Thank you for expressing condolences in connection with yesterday's terrorist attack in Sevastopol. There was another terrorist attack with casualties in Dagestan. The relevant competent authorities are doing their best to swiftly identify the perpetrators and those who ordered the attack. We have no doubt that the United States and its Ukrainian underlings are involved in it. The weapons supplied by Washington to the Ukrainian regime were used in the attack. These weapons cannot be used without the direct involvement of the US military, including their satellite capabilities.
You have emphasised the importance of preserving historical memory no matter what. This applies to the terrorist threat which does not subside on the ground, including with regard to our respective countries, and the memory of the Great Patriotic War, which has come under attack from numerous angles. Attempts are being made to rewrite history, and to equate the victor and the aggressor. Monuments are being torn down, and Nazi criminals are being glorified.
This was the case during the recent "summit on peace in Ukraine." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau bellowed out Nazi slogans, and no one, including "neutral" Swiss hosts, dared to call him to order. We are perfectly aware of this.
Our interaction is more valuable than ever given the circumstances. In recent years, it has reached unprecedented heights. The tone is set by President Vladimir Putin and President Alexander Lukashenko. They have met three times this year. There will be opportunities for more contacts. Our respective prime ministers maintain communication and monitor the status of the implementation of integration agreements, which are being implemented fairly successfully. The heads of respective ministries and agencies also maintain communication.
You mentioned interparliamentary and interregional ties. On June 17, the 66th session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Russia and Belarus chaired by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin was held in Minsk. He will also represent our country during the July 3 festive events in Minsk to celebrate the Independence Day of the Republic and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders.
The 11th Forum of the Regions of Russia and Belarus with the participation of Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko will be held in the Vitebsk Region on June 26-28.
Our respective foreign ministries are trying to keep up with the top officials. This is my third trip to Minsk and our sixth meeting this year. We know there will be more this year. I appreciate the invitation to attend the second Minsk Conference on Eurasian Security, which will be held on October 31-November 1. We will definitely be there.
We agreed to hold an annual joint meeting of the boards of the foreign ministries of Russia and Belarus in the fourth quarter. We have discussed the agenda and will approve it today.
The Supreme State Council of the Union State will meet on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on its creation. These meetings and other multilateral events will provide an opportunity to regularly align our agendas and to see how well we are ensuring foreign policy coordination and support for all Union programmes.
Thank you once again for your hospitality.
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