Lithuanian Defense Minister: The statements of Belarusian authorities causes many questions

Lithuanian Defense Minister Rasa Jukneviciene gave an exclusive interview to the website charter97.org.

During the meetings with Natallia Radzina, the editor of charter97.org, the Defense Minister commented last scandals in Belarus-Lithuanian relations.

- How will you comment the arrest of, supposedly, Lithuanian spies in Belarus.

- We never comment what such services do and what they don't. What has been announced by the Belarusian authorities causes us many questions. I think that this do not correspond to what we call neighborliness.

- But Lithuanian politicians and diplomats already states that this is a provocation and insinuation from the side of Belarus.

- I can’t comment that. I think that in this case we should show restraint.

- How problematic is to cooperate with the dictatorship in military sphere?

- We had many ideas about how can we cooperate. I’ve even met with Belarusian Minister of Defense before presidential elections in 2010. But then, after repressions and suppression of democracy happened, together with the European Union we ceased all the contacts. Now the cooperation between our armies happens at a low level. Of course, there is not much of it. It would be better, if two neighbor states could follow the same principles, especially – democratic ones. But as it is - so it is. So far we cooperate because we have 600 kilometers of a common border. But I think that everything still lies in the future.

- Does failure in the transfer of Gen. Uskhopchik to Lithuania still has some influence on the relationships?

- This problem was, when he was a Defense Minister. There became less problems, since he have left this position. It was impossible to cooperate that time. But, in general, this is a political problem, and, of course, it remains.

- Lithuania remembers its January 13, 1991. Belarusian army is also used for repressions against opposition. On December 19, 2010 soldiers arrived to assist internal forces. They cordoned off the square at a time when riot police was beating and arresting the protesters.

- On this reason we have a desire to develop our cooperation before elections. But after the elections in your country we ceased it.

- And the last question, which interests everyone today. It has been reported that the Swedish plane, which illegally flew across the air border of Belarus, was flying from the side of Lithuania.

- I don’t have information, which I could give you.

- But did you record the flight?

- No, we did not record anything.

- But mass-media reported that you did.

- No, we did not record anything from our side.