[ad_1]
Byelorussian Ambassador to Ukraine Igor Sokol announced the postponement of the third economic forum of the Belarus and Ukraine regions at the initiative of the Ukrainian side. The diplomat believes that the economies of the two countries will suffer mainly from this.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not go to third the economic forum of the Belarus and Ukraine regions, which was to be held in October 2020 in the Belarusian city of Grodno, Belarusian Ambassador to Ukraine Igor Sokol said in an interview with Ukraine Business Review newspaper.
“In July [этого года] We sent invitations on behalf of the Belarusian government to all the heads of the Ukrainian regions. As of August, confirmation of participation has been received from half of Ukraine’s regions. Vladimir Zelensky’s official visit to Belarus was being prepared, “said the ambassador.
Sokol clarified that just a few days ago the Ukrainian side came up with an initiative to postpone the forum until 2021. The diplomat described this transfer as a cross out of the joint preparatory work.
“First of all, the economies of our countries, interregional ties and between ordinary people will suffer. It is easy to destroy, it is much more difficult to create. Since Ukraine’s leadership has put relations” on hold “, it means that We will continue to communicate with regions, cities, village councils, companies. Ready, “Sokol emphasized.
The first forum of the Ukraine and Belarus regions was held in Gomel at the end of October 2018, with the participation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and the fifth President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko. The second forum was held in Zhitomir in early October 2019. By agreement between the state leaders, the next event should be held in Belarus.
The third forum could be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the foreign ministers of the two countries still confirmed their willingness to hold it in October 2020.
To transfer The forum took place in the context of the political crisis in Belarus: since August 9, mass protests have continued in the country due to falsified voting results in the presidential elections, which, according to official data, were won by the incumbent of State Alexander Lukashenko.
The Belarusian security forces violently dispersed the protesters. They used stun grenades, rubber bullets, and water cannons. During the protests, more than 10,000 protesters were arrested, hundreds wounded and wounded. According to official figures, four protesters died.
On September 23, the inauguration ceremony of Lukashenka took place at the Independence Palace in Minsk. For the first time in the history of Belarus, it was not announced. Contrary to legal requirements, the ceremony was not broadcast on television.
After Lukashenka secretly took office, residents of Belarus again turned out for protests.
Several states, including Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Denmark, and the Czech Republic, did not recognize Lukashenka’s inauguration. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said Lukashenka’s inauguration does not signify his recognition as the legitimate head of the Belarusian state.
[ad_2]
