Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó visited Belarus, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The agency notes that the purpose of yesterday's visit was to expand bilateral ties despite the sanctions imposed on the country by the European Union.
„Our position is clear: less sanctions, more cooperation”, summed up the Hungarian foreign minister.
The EU has imposed a series of sanctions on Belarus over the way authorities suppressed mass protests following presidential elections in August 2020. The country's isolation has intensified after its head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, allowed Russian troops to use his country's territory , to attack Ukraine from it on February 24, 2022
Noting that “sanctions are not working”, Szijjártó pointed out that Hungary is “increasing economic cooperation with Belarus in areas not affected by restrictions”.
Representatives of the two countries signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, providing for personnel training and nuclear waste management. According to Szijjártó, it will help Hungary “use the experience of Belarus gained in the construction of reactors with similar technology”.
Hungary is cooperating with Russia to install a new reactor at the Paks NPP, which is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of this decade. Belarus also has a nuclear power plant built by Russia.
Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergey Aleynik expressed hope that when Hungary takes over the rotating presidency of the EU Council in July, it will promote "healthy trends" in Europe.
„People are tired of confrontation, pressure and escalation,” he said.
Poland's government will restore the 200-meter buffer zone along its border with Belarus after a Polish soldier was wounded with a cold weapon by a migrant, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, quoted by the Polish news agency PAP and BTA.
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Tusk today visited a military base near the border together with the interior and defense ministers to show support for the border guards and soldiers guarding the border.
„We will make a decision to restore the 200-meter buffer zone along the border,”, the Polish Prime Minister said, noting that border officials had recommended this decision to the government.
„Together with the interior minister, the defense minister and the whole government, we will make this decision at the beginning of (next) week”, Tusk said.
He added that the police presence in the border areas will also be strengthened.
„We agreed to use additional police forces, especially in places where there are group attempts to cross the border,”, Tusk said.
Defense Minister Władysław Kośniak-Kamish said additional troops would be sent to the area.
A Polish soldier was stabbed yesterday by a migrant trying to cross the border into Poland from Belarus. The Deputy Minister of Defense described his condition as serious.