Lukashenka may visit Ecuador

Alyaksandr Lukashenka may travel to Ecuador after or before his visit to Venezuela that is scheduled for June 26.

Earlier in the day, several news sites reported with reference to the Ecuadorian Chancellery that the Belarusian leader would visit Quito, Ecuador, at the end of June to meet with President Rafael Correa. Mr. Lukashenka is expected to strike a number of cooperation agreements in the defense industry, trade, the educational sphere and agriculture, as well as hold negotiations about the possible abolition of visa requirements between the two countries, according to the report.

“Our foreign ministry routinely discusses the possibility of such visits to any state,” said Mr. Lyohki. “It is something for which diplomats should be prepared at any time. That’s why we cannot rule out the possibility of the president paying a visit to Ecuador. But I cannot yet say anything about the possible date.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Syarhey Aleynik visited Ecuador last week as part of a Belarusian delegation that also included representatives of the industry, construction, and environmental protection ministries, the Belarusian State Petrochemical Concern (Belnaftakhim), and a number of companies.

He met with Ecuadorian Deputy Foreign Minister Marco Albuja in Quito.