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“It is important to us that the work of our embassy in Minsk and the consulate in Grodno is interrupted as little as possible. This is necessary not only in the exercise of consular functions, the issuance of visas to Belarusian citizens, the link with the diaspora, but also in communication with Belarusian civil society.
Belarus has made categorical demands to drastically reduce the number of accredited Lithuanian diplomats; has demanded the expulsion of eleven.
To reduce tensions, we decided together with Poland to invite our ambassadors for consultations in capitals, thus preserving the possibility of continuing diplomatic relations.
After assessing various circumstances and risks, we decided to withdraw five more Lithuanian diplomats in the hope that this step would be sufficient to maintain the opportunities for dialogue. At the same time, we emphasize to the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that appropriate retaliatory measures will be taken if Belarus undertakes a further escalation, “said Rasa Jakilaitien porta, spokesman for Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius.
The representative reiterated the Minister’s earlier words that “the hostile step by the current Belarusian government to reduce diplomatic contacts only further contributes to Minsk’s self-isolation.”
Previously recalled the ambassador for consultation
According to BNS, Lithuania is inviting consultations with its Minsk ambassador Andrius Pulokas, the Foreign Ministry (MFA) said.
“Our aim is to preserve diplomatic contacts as much as possible. We also sent that message to the Belarusian side, with which we have so far agreed that a temporary invitation to ambassadors for consultations would serve to reduce tensions and help maintain representation. diplomatic at ambassadorial level. Together with the Poles, we have already decided to invite Minsk ambassadors for consultations, “Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius said in a press release on Monday.
According to the minister, no agreement has been reached on not reducing staff at least so far, but if Belarus continues to insist, appropriate measures will be taken – “mirror”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to coordinate all its actions with Poland and other member states of the European Union (EU).
According to the Foreign Ministry, there is intense consultation on the demand of the Minsk regime that Lithuania and Poland reduce the number of their staff in the embassies in Belarus. Mr. Linkevičius spoke by phone with the High Representative of the EU, Josep Borrell, the Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and the German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.
In solidarity with Lithuania and Poland, Slovakia, Estonia and Latvia remembered their ambassadors in Belarus.
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