Interfax-West: Yesterday, during a rally, a Swedish diplomat was detained . What is the position of the Foreign Ministry on this issue? Is it a violation of the Vienna Convention?
A. Savinykh: We have no official information on the subject, so we cannot speak about detention. In any case, such incidents are resolved on the basis of two principles: first of all, the privileges and immunities of diplomats that they enjoy under the Vienna Convention, are indisputable, and secondly, the diplomats in the host countries have to respect the laws of these countries.
BelaPAN:Maira Mora was appointed as the head of the EU office in Minsk, and she worked for a long time as the Latvian Ambassador to Belarus. And a representative of Estonia, Andres Herkel was appointed as the new PACE Rapporteur on Belarus. What do you think of these appointments? Will they influence on the improvement of relations with the EU?
A. Savinykh:The aim of the Republic of Belarus is to have constructive and equal dialogue with these structures. We would like to congratulate the high representatives with these appointments and to assure that the Belarusian side will do its best to ensure that our cooperation develops in a constructive way.
Reuters:In response to the EU sanctions the Belarusian Foreign Ministry promised to take appropriate counter measures. At the same time many representatives of the Belarusian authorities said before that it may be a decision to impose restrictions on the Belarusian opposition in leaving the country. Therefore, whether these measures will be taken?
A. Savinykh:We urge our European partners to return to normal constructive dialogue, which is possible only in conditions of mutual respect and fairness. This condition is the key to solving all disputes and issues.
The Republic of Belarus has never initiated an escalation of tensions in our relationships. We will continue to do everything we can to bring the situation back into the legal mainstream and into the mainstream of normal interaction and cooperation. However, if necessary, we may use response measures. In the event that any decisions are taken we will keep you informed.
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