Руслан Варанков. Скриншот видео
Belarus does not see Lithuania as ready for talks, Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ruslan Varankou said in response to a BelTA question about possible contacts with Vilnius.
Yesterday Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė told TV3 that Lithuania had designated a person responsible for negotiations with Belarus, but certain conditions would have to be met before dialogue could begin.
The Belarusian Foreign Ministry says it has no information about the appointed negotiator or the topics of a possible dialogue.
“We have seen reports that the Lithuanian side has decided on a candidate for possible interaction. However, as of today, we have no specific or official information either on who will represent Vilnius, what powers this person has been given, or what content is supposed to be put into such a dialogue.
Apparently, this decision is aimed primarily at a domestic audience, to show the Lithuanian population that something is being done in the Belarusian direction”, Varankou said.
The Belarusian Foreign Ministry says it remains open to dialogue but does not see readiness from the Lithuanian side.
“So far we do not see any substantive steps that would allow us to speak about the Lithuanian side’s readiness for a serious conversation. At the same time, our position remains unchanged: we have always supported dialogue and remain open to it. But we are counting not on media gestures, but on concrete and substantive steps”, Varankou said.
Last week US presidential special envoy John Coale said he hoped dialogue between Vilnius and Minsk could begin at the level of deputy foreign ministers. He also said Belarusian potash fertilisers should pass through Lithuania.
Lithuanian leaders have previously outlined conditions for talks with Belarus, including resolving the issues of meteorological balloons and irregular migration, and returning trucks to Lithuania without additional charges or fines.