Raman Yakauleuski: Makei promises Latvia jam tomorrow

The regime of Lukashenka has profound experience of how to give empty promises to its partners, including the Latvian foreign minister, for own profit.

Political observer Raman Yakauleuski spoke to charter97.org about a proposal by the Latvian MFA to invite Uladzimir Makei to the Eastern Partnership summit in November.

“It is possible that during a recent meeting in Vitesbk the two ministers discussed issues, which inspired the Latvian foreign minister to made this proposal, which was not understood by many. The regime of Lukashenka has profound experience of how to effectively give empty promises to its partners,” the political observer noted.

He stressed that Makei presented a clear position of official Minsk in his latest interview with RIA Novosti.

“Its sense is no steps forward, no steps backward. The Belarusian foreign minister said the position of a “critical dialogue” with the EU and declarative of sanctions was absurd. Some European politicians took the interview as a punch to the EU. They think Makei is bound to travel only within the borders of the CIS, to the East, but not to the West.

“As for the competition between the sea ports in Ventspils and Klaipeda and Latvia's economic dependence on Belarus in general, as a trader, Lukashenka skilfully plays on pragmatists' fears of losing a client. One cannot remember about the fundamental values of the western democracy in such a psychological state,” Raman Yakauleuski thinks.

It should be reminded that Latvian foreign minister Edgars Rinkēvičs informed his counterparts at Tuesday's meeting of the EU Council that he had met with Belarusian foreign minister Uladzimir Makei and emphasised that both sides should contribute in an equally responsible manner to the EU-Belarus dialogue.