Meeting with Serbian Ambassador to Belarus Ilina Vukajlović

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Serbian Ambassador to Belarus Ilina Vukajlović on 4 May.

"There were certain misunderstandings. You know this very well. But we expect that any misunderstandings and any kinds of moves that are unclear to either you or us will pass. Time changes a lot. Especially lately, you see how turbulent this wild world has become. Nevertheless, our relations have been and continue to be good, despite certain nuances," the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that he makes it a practice to meet with ambassadors from countries close and friendly to Belarus. "You understand that Serbia is no exception in this regard. It is a very kind, warm, and close country to Belarus. We have always treated your country with the greatest respect, and we always will. And we are not indifferent to the processes taking place in Serbia, to how the situation and circumstances are developing. From whom else, if not from you, can we get such information, open, friendly information?" the President said. "It would be wrong to say that we are unaware of the situation in Serbia. We observe and are aware of the situation as much as possible from a distance, and the embassy keeps us informed. Nevertheless, you know more and can draw our attention to certain issues that may not be visible from Minsk."

"I would like to hear from you an assessment of what is happening in Serbia and what we in Belarus should focus on," the head of state said.

The President noted that Serbia's situation is difficult and has always been so: "Serbia has always been something of an irritant for Western states. Your President often speaks about this. We understand that things are not easy for you. You do not share a border with us or with the Russian Federation, friendly states that are ready at any moment to come to your aid and provide financial, material, and economic support."

"That is why I said long ago that we will respect your policy toward Western states, toward Belarus, toward Russia, and so on. And that is what we have been doing in recent years," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.