On 11 December, President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko received credentials from ambassadors of nine countries: Albania, Italy, Qatar, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Columbia, Myanmar, Norway, Poland and Tanzania.

Addressing the diplomats, the President said that they were beginning their work in the tranquil and peace-loving country, open for friends and partners. Belarus’ domestic policy is aimed at addressing large-scale social issues, stepping up the wellbeing of the population and ensuring dynamic economic development. Belarus’ foreign policy is also geared toward achieving these goals, the Head of State said.

Business circles of Belarus and Italy should intensify their contacts, expand interaction in the credit and investment sphere, the President said while receiving credentials from Norberto Cappello, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Belarus.

The President has pointed out positive results of the bilateral cooperation with Italy, which the two countries have achieved over 15 years of diplomatic relations. According to Alexander Lukashenko, mutually respectful dialogue between the two countries is based on a solid foundation of people’s diplomacy. The President expressed his gratitude to the Italian people for their help in recuperating Belarusian children who suffered the after-effects of the catastrophe at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

While receiving credentials from Henryk Litwin, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Poland to Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus has always advocated good neighbourly and equal relations with Poland in all areas: political, economic and humanitarian.

According to the Head of State, there are quite a few spheres of activity where the common interests of the two countries are obvious. These are commerce, investment, energy and tourism.

Belarus hopes to have a positive dialogue with Poland, Alexander Lukashenko said. “Today’s problems in relations between the two countries are quite solvable through a positive dialogue. This is a dialogue based on the principles of mutual respect and equal rights, non-intervention in internal affairs,” Alexander Lukashenko said. The way our cooperation will be developing will depend crucially on Poland, the President added. Our bilateral relations should correspond to the high level of trust demonstrated by our peoples.

Alexander Lukashenko has expressed the hope that the work of the new head of the Polish diplomatic mission in Belarus will help identify the ways of rapprochement for constructive interaction.

The President of Belarus expressed an interest in a more intensive relationship between Belarus and Norway in political, economic, investment, sci-tech and humanitarian areas.

According to the President, the promising areas for cooperation are energy industry, information technologies and manufacturing. Belarus will welcome Norwegian businessmen and hopes to see the development of mutual contacts in all spheres.

Alexander Lukashenko has wished the diplomats success in their difficult and responsible work and expressed the hope that the efforts of each of them will bring real benefits to the peoples and will contribute toward building a fair, stable and secure world.