There is no work for the OSCE Office in Belarus, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said in a press conference on 17 June.
“Belarus is a country totally manageable and totally predictable for the OSCE,” the head of state said.
“Offices and other field kitchens are created in the countries with serious problems. What problems do we create for security and cooperation in Europe? Absolutely none,” the Belarusian leader said.
“As a member of the OSCE we could directly cooperate with the OSCE Secretariat. We do not need mediators. The office has completed its work in Belarus; the elections were held. After its mandate expired we said “thank you very much for your help”. Let’s use the saved money on other projects,” the President said.
“If the OSCE badly needs it, or if there are some challenges and problems, then perhaps we can consider the issue of them sending a representative here,” the President said addressing Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov.
In turn, the Foreign Minister said that “the mandate of the OSCE Office has been completed. The term of its stay ended and was not renewed. At the moment there is no need in the presence of its representative.” “If the OSCE wants to help Belarus in some area, let us work directly, Vienna and Minsk," said Sergei Martynov.
“If any big Belarus-related issue arises in the European Union, if we are told that the loan depends on the presence of the OSCE Office, then we will have no arguments. This is not worth one thin dime. We will allocate the premises then. But in fact, there is no work for the OSCE Office here,” the President said.
