Makei seeks protection from sanctions in Singapore

Belarus and Singapore agreed on more intensive cooperation in international organisations.

Belarusian foreign minister Uladzimir Makei stressed it concerned the problems considered to be “sensitive” and “politicised” by the Belarusian authorities, Interfax news agency reports.

“We talked on mutual support in the international arena, active cooperation within the framework of the UN, including such a sensitive issue as human rights,” Belarusian foreign minister Uladzimir Makei said to journalists on Thursday after a meeting with the head of Singapore's MFA.

“As you know, this problem is often being politicised by certain countries,” Makei said. In this regard, the countries agreed on “close contacts within the framework of the Forum of Small States and Singapore as its driving force”, he added. “It doesn't mean small states unite against bigger ones. It means the forum will work out solutions to the problems that small countries with population under 10 million people have,” Makei explained.

He said the Singaporean side was informed about Belarus's desire to accredit its ambassador in the ASEAN that would allow to work more effectively in the organisation. “Singapore assured it would support the accreditation of our ambassador in the ASEAN,” Makei noted.

The minister said the countries signed an agreement on visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports. “The next step will allow visa-free travel for citizens of Belarus and Singapore,” Makei said.

The Belarusian foreign minister noted the parties agreed on paying more visits at different levels. “I extended invitation to the Singaporean foreign minister to visit Minsk. The speaker of the Parliament of Singapore is expected to visit Belarus in April. We are already preparing for the visit,” the Belarusian foreign minister said.

In the picture: Makei and Singapore's foreign minister K.  Shanmugam (from mfa.gov.by)