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Belarus may reduce its diplomatic presence in some regions

Belarus will take steps to reduce its presence in the regions that do not want to cooperate with it

MINSK, February 22 (Itar-Tass) — Belarus may reduce its diplomatic presence in some regions, President Alexander Lukashenko told at an ambassador appointment ceremony on Tuesday.

“I will take steps to reduce our presence in those regions that do not want to cooperate with us and move our major diplomatic efforts to those regions where we are welcome and where we can get the feedback from cooperation,” he said.

Addressing the country’s new ambassador to Nigeria, Vyacheslav Beskostny, the president noted that Belarus starts developing the African continent.

“We have a great deal to do there and we are looking for gaining a foothold there. Today we need a foothold in Nigeria. You have to be ready for intensifying your activity. If we implement two-three projects in Nigeria, this will be quite enough as a first step,” Lukashenko said.

He stressed the need for considering neighbouring countries, “where we can also have some serious projects.”

Lukashesnko described as successful cooperation with the Asian countries.

“We gained foothold practically everywhere. Recently we appointed an ambassador to Indonesia. Of course, we have no envoy in Australia, but this is a matter for the future. We have good cooperation with Asia and we have sufficient forces there,” he said.

The Belarussian leader added that as for a strategy of cooperation with Latin American countries Belarus focuses on such large states as Venezuela and Brazil.

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