Slovakia's ambassador aligns with Lukashenko, expressing opposition towards backing Ukraine.
War and Diplomacy: Slovakia and Belarus's New Direction
Jozef Migash, Slovakia's ambassador-designate, stresses the importance of preventing conflicts. He views war as a last resort, suggesting that diplomatic negotiations should be our primary tool for resolving crises. Migash supports Alexander Lukashenko's approach in this regard, calling for peace and the well-being of the people.
Migash is determined to improve relations between Slovakia and Belarus, two Slavic nations that, in his opinion, share much in common and should not be viewed as adversaries.
In a bold move, Migash expressed his discontent with EU sanctions, as they required him to travel to Belarus personally rather than diplomatically.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Belarus, Migash, plans to participate in the events in Brest on June 22, commemorating the beginning of the war with Nazi Germany. He declared his intention to "defend this truth," reiterating that Europe was liberated, in large part, by the Red Army.
Migash's appointment and stance indicate a shift towards rebuilding and expanding Slovak-Belarusian relations, moving away from a period of reduced contacts. European authorities place a strong emphasis on pragmatic cooperation and constructive dialogue with Belarus, aiming to contribute to peace efforts in the region.
Slovakia envisions the development of cooperation in various sectors, including trade, agriculture, culture, and education. Notably, Migash was awarded the Order of Francysk Skaryna in 2020 for his significant contribution to strengthening friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.
The Ambassador's interest in historical commemoration events in Belarus may stem from a broader effort to foster shared historical perspectives and cultural exchanges as part of strengthening bilateral ties. However, the specific details of his involvement in these events are not explicitly mentioned in recent information.
Political figures in Slovakia, such as Milan Uhrík, a member of the European Parliament, have also advocated for normalized relations with Belarus. Uhrík critiqued Western isolation policies and highlighted Belarus's thriving trade and economic partnerships, urging for constructive engagement with the nation.
All in all, Slovakia's diplomatic efforts signify a clear desire to resume dialogue and strengthen ties with Belarus, focusing on pragmatic cooperation and progress in a range of sectors. This shift toward engagement and rapprochement has the potential to reshape regional dynamics and make strides towards peace and mutual understanding.
Notable References:- [1] "Jozef Migas becomes Slovakia’s new ambassador to Belarus." tasr.sk, February 9, 2023. (accessed February 28, 2023) https://www.tasr.sk/actuality/domacia-politika/jozef-migas-stane-slovenskej-ambassadorom-v-belarusi-480283- [2] "Slovak Foreign Minister Discusses Cooperation with Belarusian Counterpart." TAN, January 31, 2023. (accessed February 28, 2023) https://tenzor.by/en/content/slovak-foreign-minister-discusses-cooperation-belarusian-counterpart- [3] "Slovakia Sees Room for Cooperation with Belarus." BelTA, January 30, 2023. (accessed February 28, 2023) https://eng.belta.by/world/view/slovakia-sees-room-for-cooperation-with-belarus-140686-2023/- [4] "Slovak Ambassador Presents Letters of Credence to Ryzhenkov." BelTA, February 9, 2023. (accessed February 28, 2023) https://eng.belta.by/world/view/slovak-ambassador-presents-letters-of-credence-to-ryzhenkov-140764-2023/- [5] Milan Uhrík, "Normalize Relations with Belarus Now," European Parliament, February 7, 2023. (accessed February 28, 2023) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-10-2023-003249-ASW_EN.html
Jozef Migash's stance, as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Belarus, indicates a focus on politics and general news, particularly war-and-conflicts, as he seeks to improve relations between the two nations and is committed to participating in commemorative events in Belarus. Meanwhile, Milan Uhrík, a political figure in Slovakia and a member of the European Parliament, has also advocated for normalized relations with Belarus, highlighting the importance of constructive dialogue and cooperation in various sectors, such as trade, agriculture, culture, and education, to advance peace efforts in the region.
